Women with elevated ovarian androgens have an associated increased risk of pre menopause breast cancer.

Very interesting study finds that a single value assessment of androgens, DHEAS, prolactin, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 can be used to assess 3 year average in pre-menopause women.  Estrogen and progesterone need to be assessed through the cycle.

Prospective study finds that elevated total and free Estradiol levels in the follicular phase and elevated total and free Testosterone levels in both the follicular and luteal phase are associated with increased breast cancer in women.  The risk is for pre menopause in this study.  This and several other studies point to serious questions about the massive dosing of Testosterone via pellets, injections, and topicals for libido.  We appear to be following the same patter as seen with premarin, provera, now Testosterone in men and this may be the next ball to drop.  Is the Testosterone therapy merely producing an environment that feeds breast cancer?

Study finds that elevated serum Testosterone and androstenedione is associated with an increase risk of breast cancer.  This EPIC study looked at serum hormones in premenopausal women.  This study also found an association with increased breast cancer and low serum progesterone in women.  This was also found in the ORDET study.  This study did not find a link with estrogen.  These are endogenous levels.  Does this translate to exogenous? This theory of elevated androgens and breast cancer was first proposed by Grattarola.

Inflammation plays an important role in Alzheimers disease.  Likewise, the ability to resolve inflammation is altered, as this study shows.  This points to natural therapies i.e. omega-3, curcumin, vitamin D...

The literature on Testosterone and breast cancer is confusing at best, but just like therapy in men, it needs to be individualized.  This prospective case study found a significant increased odds of breast cancer in women with higher levels of free Testosterone.  Statistical significance was not found with Total Testosterone.  These were endogenous hormones.  The women in this study had "regular menstrual cycles" suggesting these women lacked PCOS.

Study finds that Testosterone with or with the aromatase inhibitor anastrazole as a pellet reduced breast cancer risk.  This conclusion should be taken with caution.  It is well know that abnormal breast tissue, breast cancer, highly expresses aromatase activity which would increase Testosterone to estradiol production.  This would feed any growing tumor.  But, this study finds protection.  The failure of this study is the measurement of hormone levels.

Review of the data of Testosterone therapy in women in surgical menopause finds no negative or positive influence on breast cancer risk.

One of the rare long-term studies of Testosterone in women.  This study was a respective study of high dose Testosterone.  The authors found an increase in atherosclerosis in the aorta versus non-HRT.

Testosterone therapy in post menopausal women appears to have adverse cardiovascular effects in women.  The negative effects were an increase in Pulsatility index and adverse change in lipid profiles.  This seemed to counter the positive effects by estrogen.  Others have proposed that combination E2 and T therapy hide the negative effects of testosterone on CV health in women.

Master's thesis reviews Testosterone therapy in women.  The evidence is poor.  What is seen is that low SHBG and increasing Testosterone in the long term appears to be associated with adverse CV effects. Otherwise, the effects of Testosterone are negligible if negative at all.   High dose studies did find increased CVD in women. The dosing here was at 40 mg.

review of the literature finds that Testosterone therapy in women with low libido improves sexual activity without CVD and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.  Post menopause is a time associated with an increased risk of CVD in women.

Study finds that Testosterone therapy improves insulin sensitivity, muscle strength and function in women with advanced CHF.  No levels were noted.  If this is similar to men, I would expect a low Testosterone, which Testosterone replacement would then increase physiologic performance. 

Increasing androgens, male hormones, may be associated with the increased risk of CVD found in post menopausal women.  Other variables also need to be included ie. fat, insulin resistance...

Increasing Free androgen index is associated with worsening metabolic syndrome parameters in women.  Paticularily increasing insulin and poor glucose control was found.

Review finds that low SHBG and higher Testosterone levels are associated with increased CVD risk in post menopausal women.  Exact relationship is undetermined.

This study looked at post menopause women and found that those with PCOS had an increase in CAD and worse cardiovascular event survival.  PCOS is a metabolic syndrome, in part, driven by elevated androgens in women.

Study finds that low and high Testosterone in women are associated with increased CVD risk.

Good review of the pathogenesis of MS and estrogen therapies effects on MS.  Particularly are the benefits seen with Estriol.