Women Wanted For Testosterone Study
Researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
in Bethesda, Md., seek women who have premature ovarian failure -- formerly
known as premature menopause -- to determine if restoring normal testosterone
levels will help prevent the bone disease osteoporosis.
Volunteers will have the chance to get an evaluation free of charge, and
most will be reimbursed for travel expenses. Normally, the ovaries produce
both the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Some women become deficient
in these hormones before the age of 40 because their ovaries prematurely
stop working for unknown reasons, a condition known as premature ovarian
failure.
Physicians believe testosterone is important for a woman's bone and muscle
mass, strength, energy level, positive sense of well-being, sexual desire
and other aspects of sexual function. However, testosterone is not typically
replaced in therapy for premature ovarian failure.
The researchers plan to recruit three groups of 55 women each for their
study. The first group of volunteers will wear an experimental skin patch
that delivers the amount of testosterone normally produced by ovaries in
healthy young women. The second group will wear a placebo patch that delivers
no testosterone. These two groups will be compared to a third group of
women who have normal ovarian function.
All volunteers will receive periodic evaluations to measure bone density,
as well as tests of mood, well-being, sexual function and body composition.
For more information, call toll-free at 877-206-0911.
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