Patch improves sexual desire after menopause

Patch containing testosterone can increase sexual desire in women who experience reduced sexual desire after surgical removal of the ovaries. Researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles conducted a study on 447 women diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) after ovarian surgery. They were randomly assigned to receive testosterone patches, at one of three doses, or placebo for 24 weeks. A total of 318 women completed the trial. Compared with placebo, the intermediate-dose testosterone patch significantly improved sexual desire and increased the frequency of satisfying sexual activity. The lower testosterone dose offered no benefits, whereas the higher dose was no better than the intermediate dose. The testosterone patch was well tolerated at the doses studied and no serious adverse effects were seen\. While the findings suggest a role for testosterone patches in the treatment of HSDD, the optimal dose remains to be determined.