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 .
Combined esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone versus esterified estrogens alone in the treatment of loss of sexual interest in surgically menopausal women
Objective : To compare the effect of esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone versus esterified estrogens alone on diminished sexual interest in surgically menopausal women . Design : This r and omized , double-blind study compared the effect of combined esterified estrogens ( 1.25 mg ) and methyltestosterone ( 2.5 mg ) ( EE/MT ) versus esterified estrogens ( 1.25 mg ) alone ( EE ) for 8 weeks . Several different sexual function question naires were used to measure response to therapy . Changes from baseline in sexual interest/function and hormone levels were evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment . Results : A total of 102 women were r and omized into the study ; 52 ( age range , 32 - 61 years ) to EE/MT and 50 ( age range , 33 - 62 years ) to EE .  After 8 weeks , significant differences between treatments were not seen in the Changes in Sexual Functioning Question naire ( CSFQ-F-C ) sexual desire/interest subscale score , the primary efficacy variable . In contrast statistically significant between-treatment differences were found for several secondary efficacy variables including Menopausal Sexual Interest Question naire ( MSIQ ) sexual interest/desire score , CSFQ-F-C arousal/erection subscale score and Women 's Health Question naire sexual functioning subscale score . The mean serum concentration of bioavailable and free testosterone significantly increased , approximately doubling between baseline and the end of the study in patients receiving EE/MT , with a significant ( P < 0.001 ) between-treatment difference . The mean serum concentration of sex hormone-binding globulin significantly decreased to less than one third of the pretreatment levels in patients receiving EE/MT ( P < 0.001 ) . Both treatments were well tolerated . Conclusions : The mixed results seen with the different sexual function question naires may be due to the CSFQ-F-C 's lack of specificity for this population . Increased levels of bioavailable and free testosterone paralleled the improved MSIQ item scores . Both the EE and EE/MT treatments were well tolerated
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 .