Q. What can you tell me about testosterone to jump start diminished sex drive in women? I used to have a fantastic libido and enjoyed a great sex life with my husband. But ever since menopause I am rarely interested in sex and when we do make love I almost never have an orgasm.
A. The “APHRODITE” study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Nov. 6, 2008) reported that a patch containing 300 micrograms of testosterone “resulted in a modest but meaningful improvement of sexual function.” During this year-long trial, women on the patch reported “increases in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and pleasure…”
In the study a few women on testosterone were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers could not determine whether this hormone was responsible. Long-term side effects of testosterone have not been studied.
We are sending you our Guides to Female Sexuality and Drugs that Affect Sexuality with more details about testosterone and other approaches for men as well as women. The FDA has not approved topical testosterone to improve female libido, though some doctors are prescribing it “off-label.”
