The use of testosterone after menopause

Abstract

There is now substantial evidence from randomised controlled trials that testosterone therapy will improve sexual satisfaction and mood in surgically menopausal women treated with concurrent oestrogen, with less data in naturally menopausal women and premenopausal women. However, long-term safety data for combined-oestrogen testosterone therapy are lacking, and the effects of testosterone-only therapy in postmenopausal women are unknown. Although there appears to be considerable potential for testosterone to improve the quality of life for selected women, inappropriate and/or excessive use of testosterone carries the risk of masculinisation and possibly more serious side effects. All women treated with testosterone need to be carefully monitored both biochemically and clinically and should have long term follow up for adverse sequelae.