Q: Who should be treated with testosterone?

A: Nearly all women who have had a bilateral oophorectomy should have appropriate hormone replacement therapy which should consist of oestradiol and testosterone. Now that testosterone is available on licence for women it is hard to justify oophorectomy in pre-menopausal women without replacement of testosterone. Although there is no licence for non-hysterectomised women to receive testosterone there is no doubt that good, well-experienced doctors will prescribe testosterone for the appropriate symptoms in women who have an intact uterus and ovaries, and even in those that are pre-menopausal with the appropriate symptoms. Prescribing “off-licence” is controversial but that does not mean that it should be forbidden. -- Professor of Gynaecology, John Studd - Who should be treated with testosterone?