Some studies suggest that testosterone therapy has additional effects , which include increased bone mineral density and decreased serum high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol .
The clinical sequelae of oestrogen deficiency during menopause are undoubted .
However , the pathophysiological role of testosterone during the menopause is less clear .
Several r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trials suggest that testosterone therapy improves sexual function in postmenopausal women .
A two-year, double-blind comparison of estrogen-androgen and conjugated estrogens in surgically menopausal women. Effects on bone mineral density, symptoms and lipid profiles.
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of two doses of conjugated equine estrogen ( CEE ) and two of esterified estrogen plus methyltestosterone ( E + A ) in surgically menopausal women . STUDY DESIGN A two-year , parallel-group , double-blind study of 311 women who were r and omly assigned to one of four regimens : ( 1 ) CEE , 0.625 mg/d ; ( 2 ) CEE , 1.25 mg/d ; ( 3 ) esterified estrogens , 0.625 mg , + methyltestosterone , 1.25 mg/d ; or ( 4 ) esterified estrogens , 1.25 , + methyltestosterone , 2.5 mg/d .  Study parameters were symptoms , lipids , bone mineral density , side effects and safety . RESULTS All treatments prevented loss of bone in the spine and hip . The higher E + A dose increased spine and hip BMD more than other treatments ( P < .002 ) . All treatments improved menopausal symptoms , with non-significantly greater improvements in well-being and sexual interest in the E + A groups . Similar and significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein were observed in all groups , but high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides were increased only in the unopposed estrogen groups ( P < .05 ) . Hirsutism was uncommon and similar in all groups at two years . Discontinuation rates and reasons for withdrawal from the study were similar in both groups . No clinical ly significant side effects or laboratory test abnormalities were seen . CONCLUSION As compared to estrogen alone , E + A significantly improved BMD and was well tolerated in surgically menopausal women
Some studies suggest that testosterone therapy has additional effects , which include increased bone mineral density and decreased serum high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol .
The clinical sequelae of oestrogen deficiency during menopause are undoubted .
However , the pathophysiological role of testosterone during the menopause is less clear .
Several r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trials suggest that testosterone therapy improves sexual function in postmenopausal women .