Testosterone treatments, including creams, gels and patches, are used to treat low sex drive in some post-menopausal women. Testosterone is used along with traditional estrogen-based hormone replacement after natural or surgical menopause. Pre-menopausal women with low libido may also respond to testosterone therapy. Hormone therapies, particularly testosterone, are not right for every woman or every situation and your health care provider can help you decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks for you.
Significance
While people typically think of menopause as a process that changes estrogen and progesterone levels, it also affects testosterone levels. After menopause, testosterone levels are typically 33 percent lower than they were before menopause, according to Project Aware. Adequate testosterone improves sex drive and sexual response, but can also support bone health, reduce vaginal dryness and even improve mild depression.
Types
Testosterone products on the market in the United States have all been designed for men with low testosterone. As of 2010, there is not a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved testosterone supplement for women. However, doctors can prescribe patches, creams and gels for off-label use, reports Dr. Mary Gallenberg of the Mayo Clinic. Further studies are required on the safety of testosterone therapy in women before a medication designed for women will hit the marketplace, according to CNN.
Benefits
Testosterone therapy may improve libido, sexual response and the frequency of orgasm. It may also treat vaginal dryness and atrophy, according to pharmacist Brock Smith of Bellevue Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri. Treatment with testosterone increased women's satisfying sexual experiences from twice every four weeks to approximately once a week, according to Sheryl A. Kingsberg of the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Considerations
Testosterone does have some common side effects, particularly at higher doses. According to Dr. Elizabeth Barrett-Connor of San Diego, California, high levels of testosterone may cause acne, excessive hair growth, deepening of the voice and a susceptibility to baldness. Finding the right dose of testosterone can be challenging, with the desired goal being hormone levels similar to those pre-menopause.
Warning
While testosterone appears to have a beneficial impact on libido, the safety of this hormone therapy in women remains unclear. You should not take testosterone if you have a history of breast or uterine cancer, cardiovascular disease or liver disease, reports MayoClinic.com. According to CNN, many health care providers believe testosterone may be safe for short-term use, but further information on its long-term safety is required.
