The role of androgens in the female genital tract

• Main Author: Chong, Jessica
• Language: en_US
• Published: Boston University 2017
• Subjects: Medicine; Androgen hormones; Female development
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/21137

Thesis (M.A.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at [e-mail]. Thank you. === The view of androgens as a chiefly male- associated hormone is long outdated, and there is an increasing wealth of evidence for the role of androgens in women. Androgens, in addition to estrogen and other hormones, play several various and critical roles in females, particularly in the development and function of the female genital tract. Countless, targeted studies have been conducted in efforts to elucidate how androgens affect the development and function of the female genitalia, most notably in regards to the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. However, though the significance of female androgens is relatively well established, knowledge on this subject is still developing and somewhat fragmented. The objective of this review is to present a comprehensive view of the role of androgens in the development and function of the female genital tract, summarize new studies, and integrate the most current information in order to gain a broadened and enhanced understanding of the importance and implications of androgens in females. === 2031-01-01