The use of testosterone propionate in the treatment of the menopausal patient: With a preliminary report on the use of pellets of crystalline testosterone propionate

Abstract

This report presents our experiences with the use of the so-called “male” sex hormone, testosterone propionate, in the treatment of the menopausal patient. The menopausal syndrome may occur during or after the transition period, at which reproductive function ceases. This phenomenon is a normal physiologic one, characteristic of the process of aging. The precipitating factor appears to be the withdrawal of estrogens, resulting from ovarian failure to respond to the pituitary gonadotropic hormone. Therefore, estrogenic substances have been administered for the relief of this syndrome. Estrogens, however, are not specific in this respect as other hormones, including progesterone (1), testosterone (2) and desoxycorticosterone (3) may act similarly.The therapeutic rationale for the use of testosterone propionate has been fully reviewed elsewhere.4 Suffice to say, testosterone is not only a powerful androgen but also a very potent gynecogen.