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Published on: August 13, 2019
Testosterone therapy for postmenopausal women: efficacy and safety
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. wsomboonporn@yahoo.com
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|April 25, 2006
Summary
Testosterone therapy for postmenopausal women on hormone therapy shows benefits like improved sexual function but carries risks, notably reduced HDL cholesterol. Use with caution and close monitoring due to limited long-term safety data.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Increasing use of androgen formulations in postmenopausal women.
- Lack of clear diagnostic guidelines for androgen insufficiency.
- Need for evidence-based review on testosterone's role in hormone therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy and safety of adding testosterone to hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.
- To synthesize current evidence on benefits and risks associated with testosterone use.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing evidence.
- Analysis of studies on testosterone formulations combined with hormone therapy.
- Evaluation of reported benefits and adverse effects.
Main Results:
- Good evidence for improved sexual function with testosterone therapy.
- Fair evidence for improved well-being (transdermal) and reduced triglycerides (methyl testosterone).
- Good evidence for reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, especially with methyl testosterone.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone therapy offers benefits but also carries risks, primarily concerning HDL cholesterol reduction.
- Use should be cautious, limited to short-term, and justified in specific clinical situations.
- Close monitoring for side effects, including HDL cholesterol levels, is essential due to insufficient long-term data.
