Some studies suggest that testosterone therapy has additional effects , which include increased bone mineral density and decreased serum high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol .
The clinical sequelae of oestrogen deficiency during menopause are undoubted .
However , the pathophysiological role of testosterone during the menopause is less clear .
Several r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trials suggest that testosterone therapy improves sexual function in postmenopausal women .
Testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in naturally menopausal women: results from the INTIMATE NM1 Study
Objective : To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch for the treatment of women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder after natural menopause . Design : A multicenter , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel-group trial was conducted in naturally menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder receiving a stable dose of oral estrogen with or without progestin ( N = 549 ) . Women were r and omized to receive testosterone 300 & mgr;g/day or placebo patches twice weekly for 24 weeks . The primary efficacy measure was change from baseline in frequency of total satisfying sexual activity over a 4-week period ( weeks 21 - 24 ) . Results : A total of 483 women ( 88 % ) were included in the primary analysis population ( those with baseline sex hormone binding globulin levels ≤160 nmol/L ) . The change from baseline in number of total satisfying sexual episodes was significantly greater for testosterone compared with placebo ( participants with baseline sex hormone binding globulin levels ≤160 nmol/L , mean change of 2.1 ± 0.28 versus 0.5 ± 0.23 episodes/4 weeks ; P < 0.0001 ; intent-to-treat population , mean change from baseline of 1.9 ± 0.26 versus 0.5 ± 0.21 episodes/4 weeks , P <  0.0001  ) . Testosterone also produced statistically significant improvements  compared with placebo in all secondary efficacy measures , including sexual desire and personal distress . The testosterone patch was well tolerated . Conclusions : Testosterone patch treatment increased the frequency of satisfying sexual activity and sexual desire , decreased personal distress , and was well tolerated in naturally menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Some studies suggest that testosterone therapy has additional effects , which include increased bone mineral density and decreased serum high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol .
The clinical sequelae of oestrogen deficiency during menopause are undoubted .
However , the pathophysiological role of testosterone during the menopause is less clear .
Several r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trials suggest that testosterone therapy improves sexual function in postmenopausal women .