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    Korean J Androl. 2012 Apr;30(1):13-22. Korean.
    Published online Apr 30, 2012.
    https://doi.org/10.5534/kja.2012.30.1.13
    Copyright © Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology
    Original Article

    Hormone Replacement Therapy in Female Sexual Dysfunction

    Hana Yoon
      • Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
    • Corresponding author (Email: wowhana@ewha.ac.kr )
    Received April 06, 2012; Accepted April 25, 2012.

    Abstract

    Female sexual function is highly complex and deeply influenced by hormonal and non-hormonal factors. As sexual dysfunction becomes a common and important problem for women of all ages with related quality of life issues, we need to understand more about the effect of sex steroid hormones in female sexual function. However, there are limited data about the correlation between the value of sex steroid hormones- testosterone, in particular-and female sexual function. In a certain type of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), hypoactive sexual desire disorder, for example, there is evidence that treatment with androgens or with estrogens is effective. To widen the therapeutic options of hormone replacement therapy in FSD, further research is needed as to the benefits and risks of hormonal treatments in both pre- and post-menopausal women. Although important unanswered questions still exist in hormonal treatment of FSD, new therapeutic strategies are being studied and many ongoing clinical trials are expecting favorable results leading to more successful treatment of FSD.

    Keywords
    Testosterone; Estrogens; Sexual function

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Schematic diagram of sex steroidogenesis from cholesterol.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Testosterone currently available in Korea*

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    MeSH Terms
    Androgens
    Estrogens
    Female
    Gonadal Steroid Hormones
    Hormone Replacement Therapy
    Humans
    Quality of Life
    Risk Assessment
    Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
    Testosterone
    Metrics
    Share
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