No Link Found Between Low Androgen Levels And Low Sexual Function In Women

No single androgen (sex hormone) level was found to be predictive of low sexual function in women, according to a study in the July 6 issue of JAMA. Sexual dysfunction, primarily low libido, is common among women, with prevalences of 8 percent to 50 percent, according to background information in the article. Although multiple psychosocial and health factors contribute to low sexual desire and arousal, it has been proposed that androgen levels are significant independent determinants of sexual behavior in women. It is widely believed that a low serum free testosterone level is the diagnostic marker for the cluster of symptoms described as characterizing "female androgen insufficiency" based on therapeutic trials, and expert opinion. However, evidence that a low serum testosterone level distinguishes women with low sexual function from others, is lacking. Susan R. Davis, M.D., Ph.D., of Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia, and colleagues conducted a study to determine if low self-reported sexual function is associated with low serum androgen levels. The study included 1,423 women aged 18 to 75 years who were randomly recruited from April 2002 to August 2003. Women were excluded from the analysis if they were younger than 45 years and using oral contraception. Women were surveyed with the Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF) and serum levels of total and free testosterone, androstenedione (an androgenic steroid), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS, a natural steroid hormone) were measured.

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