madman
Super Moderator
Interpretation
Testosterone was well tolerated and as safe as oestrogen for hormone-replacement therapy. Testosterone can be an alternative hormone substitution in CAIS, especially for women with reduced sexual functioning.
Research in context
Evidence before this study
Patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) after gonadectomy report significantly reduced psychological wellbeing and sexual satisfaction.
Added value of this study
We showed that testosterone is a well tolerated hormone treatment for patients with CAIS. Serum hormone profiles correspond to typically male reference ranges, which is similar to those of patients with CAIS before gonadectomy. We found that patients with CAIS can benefit from continuous hormone substitution. However, compared with oestradiol, testosterone only improved sexual functioning. Yet sexual satisfaction is a relevant topic in CAIS, as reflected by very low scores on sexual functioning measured with the Female Sexual Function Index. Intra-individual differences were detected, with some participants gaining greater benefit from testosterone treatment.
Implications of all the available evidence
Patients with CAIS must be supplied with continuous hormone treatment. However, a relevant percentage of patients with CAIS do not receive adequate hormone substitution. Poor adherence to life-long medication because of lack of evidence of benefit and the inadequate medical expertise of caregivers contribute to this phenomenon. Testosterone treatment can be an alternative to oestradiol, especially to improve sexual functioning. Individual trends during both treatments must be analysed and correlated to endocrine profiles in blood and urine in further analyses.
Testosterone was well tolerated and as safe as oestrogen for hormone-replacement therapy. Testosterone can be an alternative hormone substitution in CAIS, especially for women with reduced sexual functioning.
Research in context
Evidence before this study
Patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) after gonadectomy report significantly reduced psychological wellbeing and sexual satisfaction.
Added value of this study
We showed that testosterone is a well tolerated hormone treatment for patients with CAIS. Serum hormone profiles correspond to typically male reference ranges, which is similar to those of patients with CAIS before gonadectomy. We found that patients with CAIS can benefit from continuous hormone substitution. However, compared with oestradiol, testosterone only improved sexual functioning. Yet sexual satisfaction is a relevant topic in CAIS, as reflected by very low scores on sexual functioning measured with the Female Sexual Function Index. Intra-individual differences were detected, with some participants gaining greater benefit from testosterone treatment.
Implications of all the available evidence
Patients with CAIS must be supplied with continuous hormone treatment. However, a relevant percentage of patients with CAIS do not receive adequate hormone substitution. Poor adherence to life-long medication because of lack of evidence of benefit and the inadequate medical expertise of caregivers contribute to this phenomenon. Testosterone treatment can be an alternative to oestradiol, especially to improve sexual functioning. Individual trends during both treatments must be analysed and correlated to endocrine profiles in blood and urine in further analyses.
