Let’s Talk About Sex - Leading the GP Menopause Consultation | Webinar
This presentation will include a review of basic female androgen physiology, when it is appropriate to prescribe testosterone for women as well as how to prescribe testosterone for women. Case studies were presented, as well as questions answered.
The role of testosterone in women and its potential as a therapeutic agent continues to attract controversy. The clinical trials of testosterone therapy for women have primarily focussed on treatment of female sexual dysfunction, with the largest placebo-controlled studies being of transdermal testosterone in postmenopausal women. Based on the cumulative data from these studies, loss of sexual desire with associated personal distress is presently the only agreed upon indication for judicious testosterone supplementation for postmenopausal women.
Based on the available data, testosterone supplementation should not be used to improve cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal or cognitive health, wellbeing and low mood, or vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women; there are presently insufficient data to support the use of testosterone in premenopausal women. Globally, the use of compounded testosterone formulations is discouraged, and when these are the only treatment option, adherence to the highest manufacturing standard is required. In Australia, a TGA approved testosterone is now available. Therefore this abrogates the need to prescribe compounded testosterone. Testosterone supplementation for women with HSDD should always be considered a trial of therapy.
Dr Safro is a general practitioner with expertise in sexual and reproductive health and more than 12 years clinical experience across the full procedural scope in this area of medicine. She also serves as Chair, Education Subcommittee of the Board of AMS and as an Adjunct Research Fellow at the HER Centre, Monash University.
Professor Davis is an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, Director, Monash University Women’s Health Research Program, Consultant Endocrinologist and Head, Specialist Women’s Health Clinic for women with complex disease, Alfred Hospital Melbourne and consultant at Cabrini Medical Centre. Her research has advanced the understanding of estrogen and testosterone action, deficiency and replacement in women. She is a past president of the Australasian Menopause Society and immediate past President of the International Menopause Society. She has over 420 peer-reviewed publications and has numerous awards. Her contributions to endocrinology were recognized by the International Menopause Society Distinguished Service Award (2020), Endocrine Society of Australia Life Membership Award (2020), Endocrine Society of Australia Senior Plenary Award (2019) and the International Excellence in Endocrinology Laureate Award of the Endocrine Society USA (2015).
Dr Freilich is a General Practitioner and a consultant at Monash Health's Sexual Medicine & Therapy Clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Karen is a passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights, and is a proud provider of medical abortion, contraception, sexual medicine therapy, and gender affirming care. Karen has completed a Masters of Reproductive and Sexual Health Research in London (LSHTM) and completed training through European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) School in Budapest. In 2022, Karen was awarded the RACGP Australian Registrar of the Year Award. Karen currently tutors Sexual Health through University of Melbourne's Medical School. She hosts a popular mnemonic-filled medical education podcast, 'Humerus Hacks'.
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