Androgen Replacement in Women: Safe and Efficacious?

Abstract

There has been a considerable amount of controversy over the last few years as to the precise role of endogenous androgens in women and the place of exogenous androgen replacement in women with distressing low sexual desire. What is not in dispute is that healthy young women produce approximately 100–400 mcg per day. This represents three to four times the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries. Approximately half the endogenous testosterone and precursors are derived from the ovaries and half from the adrenal glands.