The pooled estimate from the studies suggested that the addition of testosterone to HT regimens improved sexual function scores for postmenopausal women .
A significant adverse effect was a decrease in high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol levels .
However , there is evidence that adding testosterone to HT has a beneficial effect on sexual function in postmenopausal women .
There was a reduction in HDL cholesterol associated with the addition of testosterone to the HT regimens .
It is , therefore , difficult to estimate the effect of testosterone on sexual function in association with any individual hormone treatment regimen
BACKGROUND : The value of adding testosterone to hormone therapy ( HT ) for the management of peri- and postmenopausal women is controversial and has not been systematic ally review ed .
OBJECTIVES : To determine the benefits and risks of testosterone therapy for peri- and postmenopausal women taking hormone therapy .
Comparison of the biochemical effects of testosterone and estrogen on bone markers in surgically menopausal women
Twenty-five women with a previous total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo – oophorectomy ( TAH BSO ) were given estradiol 50 mg implants at baseline , followed at 16 weeks with the combination of estradiol 50 mg and testosterone 100 mg . Blood sample s were taken at 8-weekly intervals over 32 weeks . Serum levels of estradiol , testosterone , sex hormone binding globulin ( SHBG ) and agents involved in skeletal growth ( growth hormone ( GH ) , insulin-like growth factor 1 ( IGF-1 ) , carboxy terminal pro-peptide of type 1 pro-collagen ( PICP ; a bone formation marker ) and cross-linked carboxy terminal telopeptide ( ICTP ; a marker of bone resorption ) ) were measured . Serum PICP levels increased significantly after estradiol alone ( p = 0.0032 ) but the addition of testosterone had no significant effects on bone markers GH and IGF-1 . These biochemical changes confirm previous studies , which found that the addition of testosterone did not augment the effect of estradiol implants on bone mineral density . Although physiological hormone replacement therapy in oophorectomized women would include replacement of both estradiol and testosterone , this may not to be necessary for prevention of osteoporosis where adequate serum estradiol levels are reached
The pooled estimate from the studies suggested that the addition of testosterone to HT regimens improved sexual function scores for postmenopausal women .
A significant adverse effect was a decrease in high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol levels .
However , there is evidence that adding testosterone to HT has a beneficial effect on sexual function in postmenopausal women .
There was a reduction in HDL cholesterol associated with the addition of testosterone to the HT regimens .
It is , therefore , difficult to estimate the effect of testosterone on sexual function in association with any individual hormone treatment regimen
BACKGROUND : The value of adding testosterone to hormone therapy ( HT ) for the management of peri- and postmenopausal women is controversial and has not been systematic ally review ed .
OBJECTIVES : To determine the benefits and risks of testosterone therapy for peri- and postmenopausal women taking hormone therapy .