Will Testosterone Therapy Improve My Sex Life?

January 11, 2017

Question

I’m experiencing low sexual desire and I’m looking into testosterone/androgen therapy. Is there a safe daily dose of Estrogen and Androgen a woman would benefit from with minimal side effects? Could small amounts of androgen/testosterone be ingested safely if taken unaccompanied by estrogen replacement at the same time to restore human sexual response?

Answer

 Studies have shown that supplemental testosterone does improve responsiveness and desire for sexual activity, but beginning testosterone therapy, also called androgen therapy, requires a careful approach.

It’s important to note that while testosterone received through patches, gels, creams or pills has been shown to improve sexual desire, there is no evidence that low androgen activity in women causes low libido. Testosterone therapy for women is also not currently approved by the FDA. Your doctor can prescribe it, but they are unlikely to do so unless you are also taking supplemental estrogen, due to there being scarce evidence of the safety of a woman taking testosterone alone. Your doctor would prescribe you with a very low dosage and carefully monitor your health.

Possible side effects can include acne, facial hair, a deepening voice, weight gain, and male-patterned baldness. These side effects occur when the dosage is too high for your body, but not with a proper low dosage, which can be determined by your doctor. The long-term safety and efficacy of testosterone therapy in women is unknown. If a lack of sex drive is negatively impacting your quality of life, speak with your doctor about your options so that you can weigh the pros and cons and find what’s best for you.

For more information on testosterone therapy for women with low sexual desire, see these sources:

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