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 enhances estradiol's effects on postmenopausal bone density and sexuality.
To investigate the role of and rogens in increasing bone density and improving low libido in postmenopausal women , we have studied the long-term effects of estradiol and testosterone implants on bone mineral density and sexuality in a prospect i ve , 2 year , single-blind r and omised trial . Thirty-four postmenopausal volunteers were r and omised to treatment with either estradiol implants 50 mg alone ( E ) or estradiol 50 mg plus testosterone 50 mg ( E&T ) , administered 3-monthly for 2 years . Cyclical oral progestins were taken by those women with an intact uterus . Thirty-two women completed the study .  BMD ( DEXA ) of total body , lumbar vertebrae ( L1-L4 ) and hip area increased significantly in both treatment groups . BMD increased more rapidly in the testosterone treated group at all sites . A substantially greater increase in BMD occurred in the E&T group for total body ( P < 0.008 ) , vertebral L1-L4 ( P < 0.001 ) and trochanteric ( P < 0.005 ) measurements . All sexual parameters ( Sabbatsberg sexual self-rating scale ) improved significantly in both groups . Addition of testosterone result ed in a significantly greater improvement compared to E for sexual activity ( P < 0.03 ) , satisfaction ( P < 0.03 ) , pleasure ( P < 0.01 ) , orgasm ( P < 0.035 ) and relevancy ( P < 0.05 ) . Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol fell in both groups as did total body fat . Total body fat-free mass ( DEXA , anthropometry , impedance ) increased in the E&T group only . We concluded that in postmenopausal women , treatment with combined estradiol and testosterone implants was more effective in increasing bone mineral density in the hip and lumbar spine than estradiol implants alone . Significantly greater improvement in sexuality was observed with combined therapy , verifying the therapeutic value of testosterone implants for diminished libido in postmenopausal women . The favourable estrogenic effects on lipids were preserved in women treated with T , in association with beneficial changes in body composition
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 .