Testosterone Boosts Posthysterectomy Libido

Investigators have found that libido lost following hysterectomy may be regained after theuse of a testosterone patch for 24 weeks. Because the ovaries are a significant source oftestosterone in women, their removal can cause up to a 50% loss of libido.

By keeping a log of their sexual activity, women using a testosterone patch reported havingone extra satisfying sexual encounter every 2.5 weeks, compared with one every 5.5 weeksin the placebo group. Side effects were reported among both groups, although the testosteronegroup reported acne and deeper voices—common effects of male hormones. Testosteronepatch users indicated improvements in desire, arousal, pleasure, orgasms, responsiveness,and self-image, as well as less personal distress, compared with placebo users.Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals funded the study; the company is currently developing thefemale testosterone patch Instrinsa.