Testosterone Propionate Pellet Implantation in Gynecic Disorders

The employment of so-called "male" sex hormone in the treatment of certain gynecic disorders may appear paradoxic but it is not unphysiologic. Androgenic hormones are not peculiar to the male, for they are elaborated also by the female. The Callows,¹Womack and Koch²and others have isolated from the urine of normal women the same two androgens identified in the urine of normal males. It is reasonable to suppose that in woman's hormonal economy androgens play some physiologic role. In recent years there has been an increasing trend to use androgens in gynecologic therapy. This practice has received much support, much condemnation. The schism is wide. Two diverse opinions, each crystallized from a wealth of experience, are found in the statement of Geist and Salmon³that "the use [of androgens] as therapeutic agents has a sound rationale" and the contention of Hamblen⁴that "androgens have no