Androgen effects on the central nervous system in the postmenopausal woman

Interest in the effects of androgens on the central nervous system (CNS) in postmenopausal women dates back to at least fifty years. The mechansisms o f action of androgens on the CNS ave extremely complex and multi-faceted. M uch data has been accumulated in recent years that suggest a beneficial rol e of androgens in several aspects of CNS function. These include positive e ffects on mood, cognition, memory, and libido. The information continues to be preliminary in nature and requires further investigations. There is evi dence of altered androgen metabolism triggered by exogenous postmenopausal estrogen therapy. While promising, the current body of evidence does not ye t support the routine addition of androgens to postmenopausal hormone thera py.