Female Androgen Support is a clinical strategy focused on optimizing the levels and action of androgens, such as testosterone and DHEA, within the physiological range necessary for female health and well-being. Although often overlooked, androgens are crucial for women’s bone density, muscle mass maintenance, libido, mood, and overall energy levels. Support may involve targeted supplementation or hormone replacement therapy to address relative androgen deficiency, often seen in the peri- and postmenopausal periods. This approach is distinct from supraphysiological dosing and is aimed purely at restoring optimal endocrine function.
Origin
The term evolved from the recognition in endocrinology that androgens are not exclusively male hormones but are vital for female physiology, a concept that gained prominence with research into postmenopausal hormone decline. Support emphasizes a therapeutic, restorative approach rather than a replacement of a deficiency, focusing on the quality of life improvements derived from balanced androgenic signaling. It represents a more holistic view of female hormonal health beyond just estrogen and progesterone.
Mechanism
Androgens in women are primarily produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries. These hormones act on specific androgen receptors in tissues throughout the body, including the brain, bone, and muscle. The support mechanism involves providing precursors or bioidentical hormones to ensure adequate circulating and tissue-level concentrations, thereby stimulating anabolic pathways and supporting neurotransmitter balance. This helps to counteract the age-related decline in androgen production, which contributes to sarcopenia and sexual dysfunction.
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