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Pubarche induction with testosterone treatment in women with panhypopituitarism
G Padova1, C Finocchiaro, G Briguglia
1Università di Catania, Italy.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of T therapy in the induction of pubic hair growth in women with congenital panhypopituitarism.
Design:
Prospective clinical study.
Setting:
Patients followed at the University Endocrinology Clinic.
Patients:
Four women with congenital panhypopituitarism, showing no pubic hair development, currently treated with substitutive therapy with L-thyroxine, cortisone acetate, and estrogen-progestin combination.
Interventions:
A long-acting T preparation (25 to 50 mg) was given IM each month; serum T levels were determined before and after 12 and 24 months of therapy.
Main Outcome Measure:
Evaluation of pubarche stages (according to Tanner classification of stages).
Results:
Patients developed pubarche (Tanner stage 3 to 5) after 3 to 18 months of T therapy. Testosterone levels were within the normal range during treatment. No hirsutism or other side effects were recorded.
Conclusion:
A cautious T treatment represents an effective and safe approach to the problem of pubarche induction in women with congenital panhypopituitarism.