NCIt definition : A topical cream containing a synthetic form of the endogenous androgenic steroid testosterone.
Upon vaginal application, testosterone is irreversibly converted to dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) in target tissues by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Testosterone or DHT ligand-androgen
receptor complexes act as transcription factor complexes, stimulating the expression
of various responsive genes. DHT binds with higher affinity to androgen receptors
than testosterone, activating gene expression more efficiently. In addition, testosterone
is irreversibly converted to estradiol by the enzyme complex aromatase, particularly
in the liver and adipose tissue. Topical application of testosterone may improve symptoms
of vaginal dryness.;
Semantic type(s)