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 .
Testosterone patch increases sexual activity and desire in surgically menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
CONTEXT Hypoactive sexual desire disorder ( HSDD ) is one of the most common sexual problems reported by women , but few studies have been conducted to evaluate treatments for this condition . OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch in surgically menopausal women with HSDD . DESIGN The design was a r and omized , double-blind , parallel-group , placebo-controlled , 24-wk study ( the Intimate SM 1 study ) . SETTING The study was performed at private or institutional practice s. PATIENTS The subjects studied were women , aged 26 - 70 yr , with HSDD after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy who were receiving concomitant estrogen therapy . Placebo ( n = 279 ) or testosterone 300 microg/d ( n = 283 ) was administered . There were 19 patients who withdrew due to adverse events in the placebo group and 24 in the 300 mug/d testosterone group . INTERVENTION Testosterone ( 300 microg/d ) or placebo patches were applied twice weekly . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S ) The primary end point was the change in the frequency of total satisfying sexual activity at 24 wk . Secondary end points included other sexual functioning end points and safety assessment s. RESULTS At 24 wk , there was an increase from baseline in the frequency of total satisfying sexual activity of 2.10 episodes/4 wk in the testosterone group , which was significantly greater than the change of 0.98 episodes/4 wk in the placebo group ( P = 0.0003 ) . The testosterone group also experienced statistically significant improvements in sexual desire and a decrease in distress . The overall safety profile was similar in both treatment groups . CONCLUSION In the Intimate SM 1 study , the testosterone patch improved sexual function and decreased distress in surgically menopausal women with HSDD and was well tolerated in this trial
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 .