Circulating androgen levels and self-reported sexual function in women
Susan R Davis1, Sonia L Davison, Susan Donath
1Women's Health Program, Department of Medicine, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia. susan.davis@med.monash.edu.au <susan.davis@med.monash.edu.au>
JAMA
|July 7, 2005
Summary
This study found no direct link between low testosterone and female sexual dysfunction. While some associations with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were observed in specific age groups, no single androgen level predicts low sexual function.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Sexual Health
- Women's Health
Background:
- Proposed link between low testosterone and female sexual dysfunction lacks robust evidence.
- Investigating the relationship between serum androgen levels and self-reported sexual function in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if women with low sexual desire/satisfaction have lower serum androgen levels.
- To examine associations between specific sexual function domains and androgen levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1021 women aged 18-75 in Victoria, Australia.
- Assessed sexual function using the Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF).
- Measured serum levels of total/free testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S).
Main Results:
- No significant association found between low sexual function and low total/free testosterone or androstenedione.
- Low sexual responsiveness in women ≥45 years linked to lower DHEA-S levels (OR, 3.90).
- Low sexual desire, arousal, and responsiveness in women 18-44 years linked to lower DHEA-S levels (ORs ranging from 3.86 to 6.59).
Conclusions:
- No single androgen level reliably predicts female sexual dysfunction.
- Most women with low DHEA-S levels do not experience low sexual function.
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