The Relation of Plasma Androgen Levels to Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes of Women1

Persky, Harold; Dreisbach, L.; Miller, William R.; O’Brien, Charles P.; Khan, Mohammad A.; Lief, Harold I.; N, Charney; Strauss, D.

doi:10.1097/00006842-198209000-00001

Cited by 92 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…In most cases, increased androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione and/or testosterone favor sexual arousal [29-32], but this relationship may be age, concentration and cycle-phase dependent. Mid-cycle testosterone tends to increase sexual arousal, whereas during the follicular and luteal phases this trend is reversed [33,34]. In contrast, higher progesterone and estradiol concentrations are associated with lower sexual interest, but may also be, age, concentration and cycle-phase dependent [12,34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones

et al. 2010

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BackgroundAlthough research suggests that socio-sexual behavior changes in conjunction with the menstrual cycle, several potential factors are rarely taken into consideration. We investigated the role of changing hormone concentrations on self-reported physical discomfort, sleep, exercise and socio-sexual interest in young, healthy women.MethodsSalivary hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate-DHEAS, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol and estriol) and socio-sexual variables were measured in 20 women taking oral contraceptives (OC group) and 20 not using OCs (control group). Outcome measures were adapted from questionnaires of menstrual cycle-related symptoms, physical activity, and interpersonal relations. Testing occurred during menstruation (T1), mid-cycle (T2), and during the luteal phase (T3). Changes in behavior were assessed across time points and between groups. Additionally, correlations between hormones and socio-behavioral characteristics were determined.ResultsPhysical discomfort and sleep disturbances peaked at T1 for both groups. Exercise levels and overall socio-sexual interest did not change across the menstrual cycle for both groups combined. However, slight mid-cycle increases in general and physical attraction were noted among the control group, whereas the OC group experienced significantly greater socio-sexual interest across all phases compared to the control group. Associations with hormones differed by group and cycle phase. The estrogens were correlated with socio-sexual and physical variables at T1 and T3 in the control group; whereas progesterone, cortisol, and DHEAS were more closely associated with these variables in the OC group across test times. The direction of influence further varies by behavior, group, and time point. Among naturally cycling women, higher concentrations of estradiol and estriol are associated with lower attraction scores at T1 but higher scores at T3. Among OC users, DHEAS and progesterone exhibit opposing relationships with attraction scores at T1 and invert at T3.ConclusionsData from this study show no change across the cycle in socio-sexual interest among healthy, reproductive age women but higher social and physical attraction among OC users. Furthermore, a broader range of hormones may be associated with attraction than previously thought. Such relationships differ by use of oral contraceptives, and may either reflect endogenous hormone modulation by OCs and/or self-selection of sexually active women to practice contraceptive techniques.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones

et al. 2010

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“…Evidence from correlational studies has consistently supported an association between androgen level and female sexual function. In premenopausal women, multiple studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between androgen level (particularly midcycle [63]) and intercourse frequency [64], masturbation frequency [65] and vaginal response to erotic stimuli in the laboratory [66]. The reduction in testosterone following oophorectomy and adrenalectomy is associated with a dramatic reduction in sexual desire; testosterone replacement reverses this [3,67,68].…”

Section: Female Sexual Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hormonal aspects of sexual dysfunction: The therapeutic use of exogenous androgens in men and women

Seidman

2000

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Hormones exert a pervasive influence on sexual activity. Androgens are involved in the initiation and maintenance of libido and spontaneous arousal. In recent years, the clinical use of exogenous androgens for treatment of sexual dysfunction has received a great deal of attention. Good evidence exists that such treatment is effective for arousal difficulties in men and women in the setting of a hypo-androgenic state. This article reviews the relationship between androgens and sexual function.

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“…Arousability, libido, and frequency of sexual intercourse have been correlated strictly with the mid-menstrual cycle increase in T. 20 Several cross-sectional studies performed on women at various ages have shown positive correlations with androgens levels (in particular T levels) and sexual desire, arousal, initiation, responsiveness to sexual activity, and frequency of orgasm. 21,22 A longitudinal study 22 that followed women from approximately two years before the menopause until two years after demonstrated a decline in coital frequency, sexual thoughts, or fantasies and an increase in dyspareunia and sexual dissatisfaction. In this study, estradiol and T levels both showed significant (p<0.002) declines, whereas T demonstrated closer correlation with coital frequency.…”

Section: Role Of Androgens In Female Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Testosterone Therapy and Women’s Sexuality

Valentino¹,

Simi²,

Nanini³

et al. 2007

US Endocrinology

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Testosterone Therapy and Women's SexualityThe relative contribution of androgen and estrogen to female sexual function is controversial. Low libido, decreased wellbeing, blunted motivation, and fatigue are listed as major features of the proposed syndrome of female androgen deficiency.1,2 However, defining and elucidating this syndrome has been problematic. First, the symptoms are vague and difficult to objectify, and can all occur in other syndromes such as major depressive disorders. Second, there is no consensus on the definition of low testosterone (T) levels. This lack reflects assay difficulties and insufficient studies establishing the normal range of androgen levels in different phases of life. In fact, T levels reach an apparent peak in the early reproductive years (early 20s) and decrease with age. Women in their 40s have approximately half the level of circulating total T as that of women in their 20s. 3 The rate of the age-related decrease in total T then seems to slow, and is not specifically related to menopause. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) shows similar changes to those described for T, but has an even more pronounced age-related decrease after the early reproductive years that continues through to later life. Diurnal-and menstrual-cycle-linked changes in T and androstenedione (A) also occur. T (and A) levels are highest in the morning before 10am and in the middle third of the menstrual cycle, although one small study found that the mid-cycle ovarian increase in free T level did not occur in older menstruating women (those aged 43-47 years). 5,6 There have been conflicting reports concerning post-menopause. Some studies reported that T, A, and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels remain unchanged, whereas others reported a small yet significant difference in the first six months after menopause. However, after spontaneous menopause the ratio T/SHBG did not show any change, 8 even though in surgical menopause both T and A decrease by about 50%, suggesting an important role of ovaries in T secretion after menopause. On the other hand, in post-menopause the principal source of circulating T is derived from the peripheral conversion of A and DHEA(S). 9In addition, independently of menopausal transition, circulating delta5-androgens fall linearly with age, beginning in the 20s as a result of the age-related reduction of 17,20 desmolase activity, the enzyme that rules the biosynthesis of the delta5-adrenal pathway. 10 Androgens in WomenThe biological activity of an androgen depends on its ability to bind to androgen receptors in target tissues and regulate gene transcriptional activity, the production rate, the metabolic clearance rate (which includes various metabolic conversions and excretion), and the quantitative amount that is available to the target tissues. The metabolic clearance rate and amount of androgen that is bioavailable in the blood to be transported into cells is dependent to a great extent on the degree of binding of the low capacity and high affinity to SHBG, and t...

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The Relation of Plasma Androgen Levels to Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes of Women1

Cited by 92 publications

References 26 publications

Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones

Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones

Hormonal aspects of sexual dysfunction: The therapeutic use of exogenous androgens in men and women

Testosterone Therapy and Women’s Sexuality

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