Purpose of review: This review will provide a brief overview of androgen physiology, outline the conditions associated with androgen deficiency in women, and provide data on the potential benefits and risks of testosterone therapy.
Recent findings: This review summarizes relevant data on treatment and reviews the findings regarding safety of therapy.
Summary: Testosterone is a necessary component of female physiology acting both directly and indirectly through aromatization to estrogens. Reduction in testosterone levels in women can result in deleterious effects emotionally, sexually and/or physically. Testosterone therapy resulting in serum levels in the high-normal range can provide significant improvement in these areas. The use of exogenous androgens in women with symptoms suggestive of androgen deficiency but with low-normal serum levels remains controversial.