Conclusions The effects of testosterone on cardiovascular-related events varied with source of funding .
Nevertheless , overall and particularly in trials not funded by the pharmaceutical industry , exogenous testosterone increased the risk of cardiovascular-related events , with corresponding implication s for the use of testosterone therapy
Background Testosterone therapy is increasingly promoted .
No r and omized placebo-controlled trial has been implemented to assess the effect of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular events , although very high levels of and rogens are thought to promote cardiovascular disease .
The effects of transdermal dihydrotestosterone in the aging male: a prospective, randomized, double blind study.
The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of dihydrotestosterone ( DHT ) gel on general well-being , sexual function , and the prostate in aging men . A total of 120 men participated in this r and omized , placebo-controlled study ( 60 DHT and 60 placebo ) . All subjects had nocturnal penile tumescence once per week or less , and ropause symptoms , and a serum T level of 15 nmol/liter or less and /or a serum SHBG level greater than 30 nmol/liter . The mean age was 58 yr ( range , 50 - 70 yr ) . Of these subjects , 114 men completed the study .  DHT was administered transdermally for 6 months , and the dose varied from 125 - 250 mg/d . General well-being symptoms and sexual function were evaluated using a question naire , and prostate symptoms were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptoms Score , transrectal ultrasonography , and assay of serum prostate-specific antigen . Early morning erections improved transiently in the DHT group at 3 months of treatment ( P < 0.003 ) , and the ability to maintain erection improved in the DHT group compared with the placebo group ( P < 0.04 ) . No significant changes were observed in general well-being between the placebo and the DHT group . Serum concentrations of LH , FSH , E2 , T , and SHBG decreased significantly during DHT treatment . Treatment with DHT did not affect liver function or the lipid profile . Hemoglobin concentrations increased from 146.0 + /- 8.2 to 154.8 + /- 11.4 g/liter , and hematocrit from 43.5 + /- 2.5 % to 45.8 + /- 3.4 % ( P < 0.001 ) . Prostate weight and prostate-specific antigen levels did not change during the treatment . No major adverse events were observed . Transdermal administration of DHT improves sexual function and may be a useful alternative for and rogen replacement . As estrogens are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of prostate hyperplasia , DHT may be beneficial , compared with aromatizing and rogens , in the treatment of aging men
Conclusions The effects of testosterone on cardiovascular-related events varied with source of funding .
Nevertheless , overall and particularly in trials not funded by the pharmaceutical industry , exogenous testosterone increased the risk of cardiovascular-related events , with corresponding implication s for the use of testosterone therapy
Background Testosterone therapy is increasingly promoted .
No r and omized placebo-controlled trial has been implemented to assess the effect of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular events , although very high levels of and rogens are thought to promote cardiovascular disease .