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 .
Efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Objective : Evaluation of the use of testosterone therapy for hypoactive sexual desire disorder ( HSDD ) after oophorectomy has mostly involved women treated with oral estrogen preparations . We investigated the efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch in surgically menopausal women receiving concurrent transdermal estrogen . Design : Women with HSDD after oophorectomy , for whom this was a concern , who were using transdermal estrogen , were recruited to a 24-week , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled  trial in Europe and Australia . Patients were r and omly allocated to placebo ( n = 40 ) or testosterone 300 & mgr;g/day ( n = 37 ) treatment . Primary endpoints were changes in sexual desire measured by the sexual desire domain of the Profile of Female Sexual Function and the frequency of satisfying sexual activity at 24 weeks . Results : Sixty-one women ( 79 % ) completed the trial . All subjects who received at least one application of study medication were included in analysis . The testosterone-treated group experienced a significantly greater change from baseline in the domain sexual desire score compared with placebo ( change from baseline , 16.43 versus 5.98 ; P = 0.02 ) . The domain scores for arousal , orgasm , decreased sexual concerns , responsiveness , and self-image as well as decreased distress were also significantly greater with testosterone therapy than placebo . The frequency of satisfactory sexual events increased but was not statistically different between treatment groups ( P = 0.06 ) Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both groups , and no serious risks of therapy were observed Conclusions : In this study , transdermal testosterone therapy via a skin patch improved sexual desire and other sexual function domains . It was well tolerated in these oophorectomized women with HSDD receiving concomitant transdermal estrogen
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 .