TY - JOUR
T1 - Are the endocrine society's clinical practice guidelines on androgen therapy in women misguided? A commentary
AU - Traish, Abdulmaged
AU - Guay, Andre T.
AU - Spark, Richard F.
AU - Alarie, Pierre
AU - Altman, Alan
AU - Aversa, Antonio
AU - Buvat, Jacques
AU - Caruso, Salvatore
AU - Goodman, Neil
AU - Graziottin, Alessandra
AU - Guay, Andre
AU - Jannini, Emmanuele
AU - Kingsberg, Sheryl
AU - Miner, Martin
AU - Martinez, Lisa
AU - Munarriz, Ricardo
AU - Nappi, Rossella
AU - Nachtigall, Lila
AU - Parish, Sharon
AU - Perelman, Michael
AU - Petak, Steven
AU - Schwenkhagen, Anneliese
AU - Shabsigh, Ridwan
AU - Simon, James
AU - Spark, Richard
AU - Thacker, Holly
AU - Traish, Abdulmaged M.
AU - Whipple, Beverly
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - The Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines on Androgen Therapy in Women (henceforth referred to as the Guidelines) do not necessarily represent the opinion held by the many health-care professionals and clinicians who are specialized in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of women's health in androgen insufficiency states. The recommendations provided in the published Guidelines are neither accurate nor complete. We disagree with the therapeutic nihilism promoted by these Guidelines. The members of the Guidelines Panel (henceforth referred to as the Panel), in their own disclaimer, stated that the Guidelines do not establish a standard of care. Based on data available in the contemporary literature, on the role of androgens in women's health, we provide in this commentary a point-by-point discussion of the arguments made by the Panel in arriving at their recommendations. It is our view that the Guidelines are not based on the preponderance of scientific evidence. Health-care professionals, physicians, and scientists often disagree when determining how best to address and manage new and emerging clinical issues. This is where we stand now as we endeavor to understand the role of androgens in a woman's health and welfare. Indeed, some basic facts are not in contention. All agree that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) production from the adrenal gland begins during the preteen years, peaks in the mid 20s, then declines progressively over time. In contrast, ovarian androgen (i.e., testosterone) secretion commences at puberty, is sustained during a woman's peak reproductive years and declines as a woman ages, with a more rapid and steep decrease after surgical menopause. However, there are ample data to suggest that adrenal androgens play a role in the development of axillary and pubic hair, and that testosterone is critical for women's libido and sexual function. We take this opportunity to invite members of the Panel on Androgen Therapy in Women to discuss, clarify, comment, or rebut any of the points made in this Commentary. It is our goal to elevate this debate in order to provide women who are afflicted with androgen insufficiency and sexual disorders with the highest quality health care and to relieve their distress and suffering, as well as to improve their quality of life.
AB - The Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines on Androgen Therapy in Women (henceforth referred to as the Guidelines) do not necessarily represent the opinion held by the many health-care professionals and clinicians who are specialized in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of women's health in androgen insufficiency states. The recommendations provided in the published Guidelines are neither accurate nor complete. We disagree with the therapeutic nihilism promoted by these Guidelines. The members of the Guidelines Panel (henceforth referred to as the Panel), in their own disclaimer, stated that the Guidelines do not establish a standard of care. Based on data available in the contemporary literature, on the role of androgens in women's health, we provide in this commentary a point-by-point discussion of the arguments made by the Panel in arriving at their recommendations. It is our view that the Guidelines are not based on the preponderance of scientific evidence. Health-care professionals, physicians, and scientists often disagree when determining how best to address and manage new and emerging clinical issues. This is where we stand now as we endeavor to understand the role of androgens in a woman's health and welfare. Indeed, some basic facts are not in contention. All agree that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) production from the adrenal gland begins during the preteen years, peaks in the mid 20s, then declines progressively over time. In contrast, ovarian androgen (i.e., testosterone) secretion commences at puberty, is sustained during a woman's peak reproductive years and declines as a woman ages, with a more rapid and steep decrease after surgical menopause. However, there are ample data to suggest that adrenal androgens play a role in the development of axillary and pubic hair, and that testosterone is critical for women's libido and sexual function. We take this opportunity to invite members of the Panel on Androgen Therapy in Women to discuss, clarify, comment, or rebut any of the points made in this Commentary. It is our goal to elevate this debate in order to provide women who are afflicted with androgen insufficiency and sexual disorders with the highest quality health care and to relieve their distress and suffering, as well as to improve their quality of life.
KW - Androgen Treatment for Women
KW - Endocrine Society
KW - Guidelines
KW - Sexual Desire and Arousal
KW - Testosterone
KW - Women's Sexual Dysfunction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548324673&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34548324673&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00584.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00584.x
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 17727347
AN - SCOPUS:34548324673
SN - 1743-6095
VL - 4
SP - 1223
EP - 1235
JO - Journal of Sexual Medicine
JF - Journal of Sexual Medicine
IS - 5
ER -