Testosterone delivery systems for women: present status and future promise

Semin Reprod Endocrinol. 1998;16(2):153-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1016266.

Abstract

In women, testosterone (T) is increasingly recognized as a steroid with multiple non-reproductive effects. Testosterone deficiency in menopausal women is more common than appreciated, particularly in patients on hormone replacement or with surgical menopause. Replacement of T is an established therapy for male hypogonadism, and as a result innovative new delivery systems have evolved to optimize physiologic delivery. However, in women, modalities of T replacement remain underdeveloped and at present provide artificial and/or supraphysiologic androgen levels. This review discusses the androgen replacement modalities presently available for women, and those being developed for future use.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends*
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menopause
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage*
  • Testosterone / pharmacology
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Testosterone