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 .
Effects of combined estrogen/testosterone therapy on bone and body composition in oophorectomized women
Objective . To evaluate the effect of adding testosterone undecanoate 40 mg daily to estrogen therapy on bone markers , bone mineral density and body composition in oophorectomized women . Methods . Fifty women , 45–60 years old , who had undergone a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for benign disorders , were r and omly assigned to oral treatment with testosterone undecanoate 40 mg plus estradiol valerate 2 mg daily or placebo plus estradiol valerate 2 mg daily . Twenty-four weeks later , cross-over was performed to the other treatment regimen . Forty-four women completed the study . Their serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I , IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 , osteocalcin , carboxyterminal telopeptide aminoterminal ( ICTP ) , of type I collagen propeptide of type I procollagen ( PICP ) and interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist were measured at baseline and after 24 weeks of both treatments , as were also their body mass index ( BMI ) and blood pressure . Bone mineral density of the total body , spine and hip and total body fat , total lean body mass , trunk fat and trunk lean mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements at baseline and after 24 weeks of both regimens . Results . During treatment , the addition of testosterone counteracted the decrease in IGF-I and PICP seen with estrogen therapy alone . Osteocalcin and ICTP were significantly reduced to the same extent by both therapies . No change ocurred in the IL-1 receptor antagonist . A significant increase was seen in total lean body mass with the estrogen/testosterone regimen , but the total fat mass , trunk lean or fat mass remained unchanged after 24 weeks of both treatments . No effect was detected on total , hip or spinal bone mineral density after treatment with estrogen alone or estrogen/testosterone . Likewise , BMI and blood pressure were unaffected . Conclusions . The addition of testosterone to oral estrogen might have positive effects on bone as suggested by the fact that it counteracted the decline in IGF-I and PICP levels . An anabolic effect on muscle was reflected by an increase in the total lean body mass . No adverse effects were noted on BMI , fat distribution or blood pressure during the 6-month treatment with oral testosterone undecanoate
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 .