Safety and efficacy of low-dose esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone, alone or combined, for the treatment of hot flashes in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy and safety of testosterone therapy for female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women

“…57 However, the majority of studies seem to agree testosterone therapy has no significant beneficial effect on suppressing hot flash frequency and severity. 58,64,67,107 A further study observed no significant improvement in somatic or psychological symptoms with testosterone compared to placebo 58 whilst another observed no significant difference in sweating and vaginal dryness between treatment groups. 67 In summary, most studies suggest that testosterone does not affect menopausal hot flushes and it remains to be determined whether somatic symptoms or vaginal dryness is altered during testosterone therapy.…”

“…Accordingly, clinical trials reported that the most common adverse effects associated with testosterone therapy were skin reactions, unwanted hair growth, acne and vaginal bleeding; however, most were mild and rarely resulted in withdrawal from the study. 18,44,46,50,52,57,[62][63][64][65] Furthermore, two published studies observed no significant difference in adverse effects between treatment groups. 66,67…”

“…A 2002 study by Dobs and colleagues gave esterified oestrogens with or without methyltestosterone to 40 naturally and surgically menopausal women and observed testosterone significantly improved both somatic and vasomotor symptoms compared to oestrogen alone . However, the majority of studies seem to agree testosterone therapy has no significant beneficial effect on suppressing hot flash frequency and severity . A further study observed no significant improvement in somatic or psychological symptoms with testosterone compared to placebo whilst another observed no significant difference in sweating and vaginal dryness between treatment groups .…”

New developments in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder – a focus on Flibanserin

“…Thus it should come as no surprise that various prescription medications have been used in an attempt to treat HSDD (Table 2). A combination therapy of esterified estrogen and methyltestosterone is approved by FDA to treat hot flashes and is also commonly used off-label to treat HSDD 27. Multiple studies report improved sexual desire suggesting it is a viable treatment option for HSDD 28–32…”