Testosterone: the highly misunderstood hormone in women. How to navigate its importance during a women's reproductive years into menopause

Abstract

Testosterone is one of the most abundant hormones in women but it is hardly ever discussed or given it’s just due in the treatment of peri-menopause/menopausal women. During this lecture, the provider will learn how testosterone deficiency affects women’s daily quality of life but also put them at risk for chronic illness. They will also learn how birth control pills impact testosterone levels in women and how to consider them in relation to not only the reproductive system but the overall body. We review the affects that testosterone has on breast health and the role of testosterone in treating patients with breast cancer. Lastly, we will review the blatant gender bias that occurs in medicine and in particular the bias in the hormonal treatment of women.