Research shows that about 43% of all women between the ages of 18 and 59 suffer from female sexual dysfunction. As many as two-thirds of those may have low androgen levels, according to André Guay MD, endocrinologist at Harvard Medical School. The research was presented Saturday at the 15th Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Guay cited many factors involved in decreased libido, including depression, anxiety, chronic illness, medications, menopause, and androgen deficiency. Androgen deficiency itself can be caused by complications in the ovarian, adrenal, pituitary, and hypothalamic systems. At this time, there are no FDA-approved androgen replacements for women. Level 2 research has shown that all of the major types of androgen replacement approved for use in men, have demonstrated increased libido and arousal in women with female sexual dysfunction. Three methods, parenteral, testosterone patches, and testosterone gel all demonstrated increases in ability to orgasm, and frequency of sexual intercourse. Also discussed at the meeting on Saturday was the increasing prevalence of performance enhancing drugs in American sports. The session was moderated by Paul C. Carpenter, MD, endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, and consultant to the International Olympic Committee. […]