May 2007

At long last Procter and Gamble's Intrinsa patch has been approved for use in premature menaupausal women. Now those women will be able to look forward to better health.
March 2006

The publication of a landmark piece of research should now persuade recanters Testosterone therapy is a must for pre-menaupausal women with Hypopituitarism, the cause of low/absent Testosterone. Hypopituitarism is caused by Ovarian,and/or Adrenal gland failure. Logic dictates this research also appears to encourage the need for therapy in post-menaupausal women, although the FDA are currently insisting on long term trials for this group.
In a double blind radomised study of fifty one pre-menaupausal women treated with a patch, researchers found physiologic testosterone replacement increased hip and radial bone density, fat-free mass and thigh muscle area. It also improved mood, sexual function and some aspects of quality of life in women with severe androgen deficiency.²⁰⁵

The second breakthrough concerns a therapy. Successful stage 2 trials of a metred spray have been conducted in Australia and the USA. The two companies involved, Acrux and Vivus are working with the FDA on the Stage 3 trial process. Some years will pass before a spray is approved however.
October 2005
Some hope for Hypogonadal women hoping to have a baby. Research in Turkey has revealed an excellent success rate using human menopausal gonadotropin to induce ovulation. Pregnancies were as successful in women with Hypogonadism as for women with Tube Factor infertility.²⁰¹

December 2004.
An FDA advisory panel, in their wisdom, have rejected Procter and Gamble's application for license to distribute their cocktailk patch including Testosterone, Intrinsa. Citing inadequate research, the FDA send Procter and Gamble back to the drawing board, whilst ensuring the prospect of further delay in treatment for women world wide.

Rachel Summers campaigns for responsible Testosterone replacement therapy in the USA. Check out her links below:

The Inadequacies of Current Methods of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Menopausal Women and the Lack of Comprehensive Research Thereof

July 2004.
Better news is in the pipeline it seems. Procter and Gamble have developed, and have trialled Intrinsa, a daily patch. Though it must go through the FDA rigmarole, before no doubt enduring similar trials in the UK and elsewhere, at least something is happening for ladies. Typically, it seems all the media can do is to pound on a correlation with Viagra for men. One of the benefits of therapy could be the restoration of a missing sex drive. However, by far the more important are the effects on mood, energy and overall health.

At birth, there do not appear to be as many genetic causes of Testosterone deficiency, (Hypoandrogenemia), in women. Turner's syndrome occurs in about 1:2500 women and is the most common genetic disorder discovered to date. However, as with men, Testosterone levels are prone to attack with similar results. Ovarian disease, Pituitary disorders, Adrenal gland disorders and, as with men, chronic illness and severe injuries, affect Testosterone production.

Studies into post-menopausal women have shown Testosterone levels to be low and therapy, when closely controlled, to be as beneficial to women as it is said to be for men.

As with men, the measurement of Serum Testosterone levels alone is seen to be inadequate. SHBG in women is higher than in men and is just as important when considering Testosterone deficiency. Abnormalities in SHBG levels indicate other issues worthy of investigation. The conclusion appears to be that the measurement of Free testosterone is very important when determining Hypoandrogenemia in women.

The major problem for women is the relatively low dose required for supplements, something Cellegy, the makers of Tostrex and Tostryl, and the makers of Androgel are attempting to put right with the introduction of smaller doses.

New Research into a Transdermal matrix patch for women has now been completed with promising results. It cannot be long before therapy in correct doses becomes available. Existing options do exist, but as can be seen from a visit to the excellent Early Menopause site HRT options are not the same on each side of the Atlantic.
The news regarding some HRT products for women and a link to increased breast cancer is an obvious concern. More work needs to be done in order to understand correct dosing in older people on an individual basis, according to experts. This will inevitably involve better testing, follow-up and medication options in the future. A clinical trial for Tostrelle is under way in the USA at various centres.

It may be noted that Testosterone has been shown to be beneficial in protecting against Breast Cancer.

THERAPY FOR WOMEN
The role of Testosterone in women's health is important. Screening for Testosterone was not recommended in the year 2000, however times are changing and by the end of 2003, Transdermal gels may be available in small enough doses to actively consider therapy for qualifying women. The new research into the Transdermal Patch suggests an improvement over previous options

Link:
Dr Lee Vliet USA.