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 .
A comparative study of the effects of local estrogen with or without local testosterone on vulvovaginal and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
INTRODUCTION A significant number of postmenopausal women suffer from distressing problems because of urogenital atrophy secondary to the decline in circulating estrogen levels . Treatment with topical hormones may provide relief in such women when used judiciously . AIM To study the effects of local estrogen with or without local testosterone on urogenital and sexual health in postmenopausal women . METHODS Seventy-five postmenopausal women symptomatic for urogenital atrophy and sexual dysfunction were r and omly divided into two study groups and one control group . The women in study group 1 received local estrogen cream ; study group 2 received local estrogen and testosterone cream ; the control group received nonhormonal lubricant KY gel for 12 weeks . The urogenital and sexuality score , along with the vaginal health index and the vaginal maturation index ( VMI ) , was calculated at the beginning of therapy and 12 weeks later . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Changes in the urogenital and sexuality score along with vaginal health index and VMI . RESULTS After 12 weeks of therapy , there was a significant improvement in all the four study parameters , which correlated well with the improvement in symptoms of urogenital atrophy and sexual dysfunction in both the study groups as compared with the control group . Improvement in sexuality score was greatest with combined estrogen- and rogen therapy . There were no adverse effects and the therapies were well accepted without any compliance issue . CONCLUSION Local estrogen either alone or with and rogen is highly effective in relieving symptoms of urogenital atrophy and in improving sexual function in symptomatic postmenopausal women
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 .