HT treatment with estrogens alone or in combination with progestogens was associated with a small to moderate improvement in sexual function , particularly in pain , when used in women with menopausal symptoms or in early postmenopause ( within five years of amenorrhoea ) , but not in unselected postmenopausal women .
The current evidence does not suggest an important effect of tibolone or of SERMs alone or combined with estrogens on sexual function .
BACKGROUND The perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods are associated with many symptoms , including sexual complaints .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of hormone therapy ( HT ) on  sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .
Obesity and sarcopenia after menopause are reversed by sex hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE Menopause is linked to an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass exceeding age-related changes , possibly related to reduced output of ovarian steroids . In this study we examined the effect of combined postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy ( HRT ) on the total and regional distribution of fat and lean body mass . RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES Sixteen healthy postmenopausal women ( age : 55 + /- 3 years ) were studied in a placebo-controlled , crossover study and were r and omized to 17beta estradiol plus cyclic norethisterone acetate ( HRT ) or placebo in two 12-week periods separated by a 3-month washout . Total and regional body composition was measured by DXA at baseline and in the 10th treatment week in both periods . Changes were compared by a paired Student 's t test . RESULTS The change in body weight during HRT was equal to the change during placebo ( -24.6 g vs. -164 g , p = 0.42 ) , but relative fat mass was significantly reduced ( -0.5 % vs. + 1.24 % , p < 0.01 ) . During HRT , compared with during placebo , lean body mass increased ( + 347 g vs. -996 g , p < 0.01 ) and total fat mass decreased ( -400 g vs. + 836 g , p = 0.06 ) . Total bone mineral content increased ( + 28.9 g vs. -4.4 g , p = 0.04 ) and abdominal fat decreased ( -185 g vs. + 253 g , p = 0.04 ) during HRT compared with placebo . DISCUSSION HRT is linked to the reversal of both menopause-related obesity and loss of lean mass , without overall change in body weight . The increase in lean body mass during HRT is likely explained by muscle anabolism , which in turn , prevents disease in the elderly
HT treatment with estrogens alone or in combination with progestogens was associated with a small to moderate improvement in sexual function , particularly in pain , when used in women with menopausal symptoms or in early postmenopause ( within five years of amenorrhoea ) , but not in unselected postmenopausal women .
The current evidence does not suggest an important effect of tibolone or of SERMs alone or combined with estrogens on sexual function .
BACKGROUND The perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods are associated with many symptoms , including sexual complaints .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of hormone therapy ( HT ) on  sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .