Health Information
Testosterone for Women
Why It Is Used
Methyltestosterone. This hormone product is sometimes also prescribed to menopausal women for improving sexual desire and Reference response Opens New Window.
Testosterone is an experimental treatment used to raise a woman's sexual interest, arousal, and satisfaction. Women with low androgen levels who might benefit from low-dose testosterone therapy include those who:
- Have had their ovaries removed (oophorectomy). This causes a sudden drop in testosterone, which may reduce sex drive and satisfaction.
- Have a low sex drive that does not seem to be caused by a medicine, nor by relationship or stress-related problems.
- Have an Reference adrenal system Opens New Window problem or an underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism).
Do not take testosterone if you:
- Could become pregnant. Taking testosterone while you are pregnant can cause a female fetus to develop male traits.
- Have or have had breast or uterine cancer.
- Have Reference high cholesterol Opens New Window or heart disease.
- Have liver disease.
Some experts advise against using testosterone therapy for women who have not reached menopause.Reference 2
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 14, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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