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Bio-Identical
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women : Androgens |
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| Androgens are
hormones that are important to the integrity of
skin, muscle, and bone in both males and females,
and have an important role in maintaining libido.
Declines in serum testosterone are associated with
hysterectomy, menopause, and age-related gender-independent
decreases in DHEA and DHEA-sulfate. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
is an androgen precursor from which the body can
derive testosterone. After menopause, a woman's
ovaries continue to produce androgens; however,
the majority of the androgens produced in the female
body, even before menopause, come from peripheral
conversion of DHEA. As the body ages, production
of DHEA declines so that by the time a woman goes
through menopause, the production of DHEA is often
inadequate. Additionally, ERT may cause relative
ovarian and adrenal androgen deficiency, creating
a rationale for concurrent physiologic androgen
replacement. Recently, attention has turned to the
addition of the androgens to a woman’s HRT
regimen in order to alleviate recalcitrant menopausal
symptoms and further protect against osteoporosis,
loss of immune function, obesity, and diabetes. |
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| Androgens, such as testosterone
and DHEA: |
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enhance libido. |
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enhance bone building (increase
calcium retention). |
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provide cardiovascular
protection (lower cholesterol). |
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improve energy level and
mental alertness. |
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