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Androgens (testosterone)

Androgens, such as testosterone, are male sex hormones that produce male sexual characteristics. Androgens are also present at low levels in women, although their function in women is not clearly understood.

Testosterone may be used to help women who experience a drop in sexual desire after going through menopause or to treat some conditions such as breast cancer. Androgens also are used to treat men whose hormone levels have decreased.

Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 25, 2007
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