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 .
Skeletal effects of oral oestrogen compared with subcutaneous oestrogen and testosterone in postmenopausal women.
STUDY OBJECTIVE --To compare oral and implanted oestrogens for their effects in preventing  postmenopausal osteoporosis .  DESIGN --Non-r and omised cohort study of postmenopausal women treated with oral or depot oestrogens and postmenopausal controls . SETTING --Gynaecological endocrine clinic in tertiary referral centre . PATIENTS --Oral treatment group of 37 postmenopausal women ( mean age 57.5 years , median 8.75 years from last menstrual period ) , compared with 41 women given oestrogen implants ( mean age 56.2 years , median 9.5 years from last menstrual period ) and 36 controls ( mean age 51.8 years , median 2.0 years from last menstrual period ) . Weight was not significantly different among the groups . INTERVENTIONS --Oral treatment group was given continuous treatment with cyclic oestrogen and progesterone preparations ( Prempak C or Cycloprogynova ) for a median of 8.0 years . Implant group was given subcutaneous implants of oestradiol 50 mg combined with testosterone 100 mg , on average six monthly for a median of 8.5 years . Controls were not treated . END POINT -- Significant increase in bone density . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS --Bone density measured by dual beam photon absorptiometry was 1.02 ( SD 0.13 ) g hydroxyapatite/cm2 in implant group versus 0.89 ( 0.11 ) in oral group ( p less than 0.01 ) and 0.87 ( 0.14 ) in controls ( p less than 0.01 ) . Serum oestradiol concentration in implant group was ( median ) 725 pmol/l versus 170 pmol/l in oral group ( p less than 0.01 ) and 99 pmol/l in controls ( p less than 0.01 ) . Serum follicular stimulating hormone was median 1 IU/l ( range 1 - 11 ) in implant group ( equivalent to premenopausal values ) versus 43 ( 4 - 94 ) IU/l in oral group ( p less than 0.01 ) and 72 ( 28 - 99 ) IU/l in controls ( p less than 0.01 ) . CONCLUSIONS --Subcutaneous oestrogen is more effective than oral oestrogen in preventing osteoporosis , probably owing to the more physiological ( premenopausal ) serum oestradiol concentrations achieved . It also avoids problems of compliance that occur with oral treatment
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 .