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 .
Percutaneous administration of testosterone gel in postmenopausal women – a pharmacological study
We wished to investigate if a testosterone gel administered percutaneously to postmenopausal women could result in stable serum levels of the hormone and which dose was required to produce levels within the normal premenopausal range . Fifteen postmenopausal women , mean age 55.3 years ( range 45–70 years ) , volunteered to participate in the study and were divided into three groups . They received 10 , 20 or 30 mg of testosterone as a 1 % testosterone hydroalcoholic gel at 09.00 hours daily for 14 days . The gel was applied in a thin layer on the outside of the thigh each morning , over an area of approximately 15 cm2 . Blood sample s were collected hourly between 09.00 and 17.00 hours on days 1 and 14 , and also at 08.00 hours on days 3 , 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 and finally day 16 , i.e. 2 days after termination of treatment . The mean basal serum level of testosterone was 1.1 ± 0.9 nmol/l and for 5α-dihydrotestosterone 208 ± 143 pmol/l . There was a clear increase from the 10 mg to the 20 mg treatment ( mean testosterone level during treatment 3.2 and 7.2 nmol/l , respectively ) while serum testosterone values after 30 mg showed very little further increase ( mean 7.5 nmol/l ) . Values for days 3–5 were quite similar to those for days 13–14 . The present study suggests that adequate and acceptable serum levels of testosterone can be achieved with 10 mg testosterone applied transdermally
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 .