[The place of androgen therapy in menopausal women]

After menopause, especially after bilateral oophorectomy, androgens are significantly reduced in blood and this would influence the well-being of the woman. A Female Androgen Deficiency Syndrome has been described and it is logical to add androgens to the classical oestrogen replacement therapy. There are several advantages of such combined treatment including higher bone density, better sexual function, improved mood and general sense of well-being, less depression and enhanced cognitive functioning. Side effects upon lipids are minimal and without any long-term effect on cardiovascular morbidity as long as low dosage is used. It seems that low dose of androgen therapy is a very interesting treatment option for menopausal women but further studies are needed before clinical use is recommended.