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 effects of estrogen alone and estrogen plus androgen on biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption in postmenopausal women.
The present study was undertaken to determine whether the addition of an and rogen to estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women would alter the skeletal response as determined by measurements of markers of bone formation and resorption .  Postmenopausal women were treated for 9 weeks with either a combination of 1.25 mg esterified estrogen and 2.5 mg methyltestosterone ( E+A ) or 1.25 mg conjugated equine estrogen ( CEE ) . Both groups showed a similar decrease in urinary excretion of the bone resorption markers , deoxypyridinoline , pyridinoline , and hydroxyproline . Patients treated with CEE showed decreases in the serum markers of bone formation , bone-specific alkaline phosphatase , osteocalcin , and C-terminal procollagen peptide . In contrast , subjects treated with E+A showed increases in these markers of bone formation . CEE increased , and E+A decreased serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin as well as triglycerides and high density lipoprotein levels . Only CEE significantly reduced low density lipoproteins . Both regimens were effective in reducing postmenopausal somatic symptoms , but only E+A had a significant effect on psychological symptoms . We conclude that short term administration of and rogen with estrogen may reverse the inhibitory effects of estrogen on bone formation . Long term studies are needed to determine the relative benefits and risks of the combination of estrogen and and rogen and whether this results in greater increases in bone mass and strength
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 .