4. Clinical and Public Health Implications
The observation that androgens may contribute to sex differences in opioid-mediated behaviors has a number of implications for personal and public health. As reviewed above, significant sex differences are apparent in both sensitivity to opioid analgesia and the risk for opioid use disorder. The ability of androgens to amplify (or minimize) these differences has not been sufficiently considered in clinical or public health practice. The data reviewed above point to several possibilities that might guide future decision making in these areas.