ON THE USE OF METHYLANDROSTENEDIOL IN GYNECOLOGY

There are only relatively few indications in which treatment with androgens can be based on a sound theoretical basis. Treatment is theoretically rational when the hormones are used for substitution (in male hypogonadism) and in conditions where their protein anabolic effect is utilised. There is also reason to assume that the therapeutic effect in menorrhagia, metrorrhagia and endometriosis is to a large extent related to the known oestrogen antagonistic effect of the androgens. Encouraging clinical experience has, however, widened the indications. Androgens are used for many conditions in which their mode of action is unknown or only partly known. Numerous investigations from the last three decades appear to have proved the value of androgen therapy in climacteric symptoms, premenstrual tension, premenstrual mastodynia, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis and certain tumours (for survey see: Carter et al., 1947, Salmon, 1950, and Dorf man & Shipley, 1956).