How did testosterone and estradiol contribute differently?
400 men across two cohorts; 16 weeks; gel and controlled suppression.
Under experimental hormone suppression, androgen deficiency accounted for loss of lean mass, muscle size and strength. Estrogen deficiency mainly accounted for increased body fat; both contributed to reduced sexual function.
Reducing estrogen is not automatically aligned with improving every body-composition or sexual outcome.
What might this mean, and what would change the interpretation?
Healthy men received hormone suppression and graded gel doses, with or without anastrozole. This does not define an optimal estradiol target during routine treatment.
What would clarify this: Trials testing specific clinical questions about estradiol management.
Findings reviewed · abstract
Checked Sep 15, 2026 against the linked abstract. This reading note is not a formal risk-of-bias appraisal.