Surprising as it sounds, testosterone may help bring back sexual passion in women with a sex disorder. Here's what you need to know about testosterone treatment.
When you think about testosterone, the first thing that comes to mind may be manly football players or hulking bodybuilders.
But women have testosterone, too, and one of the causes of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women is low testosterone levels, says Dennis K. Lin, MD, physician-in-charge of the Psychosexual Medicine Program at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
In these cases, Dr. Lin says testosterone therapy plays a vital role in treating the sex disorder and bringing sexual desire back. “Testosterone replacement is the first-line treatment for those [living with] HSDD secondary to a low testosterone level,” he says.
Testosterone Treatments: Explore Your Options
If you think testosterone might be helpful for your hypoactive sexual disorder or low libido, be sure to talk to your doctor. “People who [have] HSDD that’s caused by a low testosterone level would be good candidates for testosterone replacement therapy,” says Lin. “Testosterone would not be appropriate for people who [have] HSDD related to psychological or situational factors but have normal testosterone levels.”
Iberville Adult video sign.
WE RECOMMEND THE VIDEO: Iberville Adult video sign
There are several treatment options available for low testosterone, including oral tablets or lozenges, injections, patches, or creams and gels. Much of the research is still continuing on these options, says Lin. “Currently, testosterone is not an FDA-approved treatment for HSDD, even though many doctors do prescribe testosterone off-label for women [living with] HSDD,” he says. “However, several testosterone medications are in the final stages of obtaining FDA approval as treatment.”
You’ll want to talk to your doctor about which testosterone treatment might be right for you. Several have tested well, but have side effects and complications that you’ll want to be aware of. “While oral tablets are easy to use, they may dramatically raise the testosterone level, only to have it drop a few hours later. This can raise the potential for liver dysfunction,” says Lin. “Another delivery method is testosterone lozenges that slowly dissolve in the mouth. The idea is to have the hormone absorbed under the tongue and not swallowed, so that many of the negative effects of liver metabolism are avoided.”
A transdermal patch form of testosterone known as Intrinsa has shown some effectiveness in increasing sexual satisfaction. But American researchers have expressed concern over the increased risks of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease that have come from some of the tests.
The Effects of Testosterone on Menopausal Women
Since testosterone is a hormone, many women are worried that it might interefere with their treatments for menopause. But Lin says this really isn’t a problem. “Menopause treatment involves repleting estrogen, not testosterone,” he says. “Therefore, the treatment is completely different from testosterone treatment for HSDD.”
In addition, one of the up-and-coming treatments for menopause, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), uses testosterone to not only treat menopause, but HSDD, as well. “Bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy is used to boost lagging testosterone levels,” says C. W. Randolph, Jr., MD, co-founder of the Natural Hormone Institute in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. “It requires testing to determine levels and deficiencies in the body. Then a prescription is written, and the testosterone is administered. This can be in drops, injections, gels, pellet, or creams.”
Dr. Randolph adds that testosterone levels and deficiencies can vary widely from person to person, so it’s very important to work with a knowledgeable medical professional to come up with a solution that’s right for you.
Testosterone Costs and Considerations
Depending on what course of treatment you choose, the cost of treatment for low testosterone can vary widely. At Randolph’s clinic in Florida, some women can get by with a $20 testosterone injection once a month. Other options, such as oral testosterone, may cost $4 to $10 a day, says Lin. Many insurance providers will cover some of the cost of the treatments, but it’s always a good idea to check with them first.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Sexual Health Center.