Safety and Efficacy of a Testosterone Patch for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Surgically Menopausal Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oophorectomy reduces serum testosterone levels. We studied the efficacy and safety of transdermal testosterone in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women. METHODS: A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter trial was conducted in women (aged 24-70 years) who developed distressful low sexual desire after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy and who were receiving oral estrogen therapy. Women were randomized to receive placebo (n = 119) or testosterone patches in dosages of 150 microg/d (n = 107), 300 microg/d (n = 110), or 450 microg/d (n = 111) twice weekly for 24 weeks. Sexual desire and frequency of satisfying sexual activity were primary efficacy outcome measures. RESULTS: Of the 447 women randomized, 318 (71%) completed the trial. Compared with placebo, women receiving the 300-microg/d testosterone patch had significantly greater increases from baseline in sexual desire (67% vs 48%; P = .05) and in frequency of satisfying sexual activity (79% vs 43%; P = .049). The 150-microg/d group showed no evidence of a treatment effect. The 450-microg/d group also was not statistically different from the 300-microg/d or placebo groups. Marginally significant linear dose-response trends were observed for total satisfying sexual activity and sexual desire at 24 weeks (P = .06 and .06, respectively). Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both groups; no serious safety concerns were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The 300-microg/d testosterone patch increased sexual desire and frequency of satisfying sexual activity and was well tolerated in women who developed hypoactive sexual desire disorder after surgical menopause.
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By heightening sexual desire in the less aroused partner or reducing it in the more aroused partner, the discrepancy could be minimized, possibly softening a major source of relationship strain.
“By heightening sexual desire in the less aroused partner (by using testosterone, for instance, see Braunstein et al. 2005; Sherwin 2002; Sherwin and Gelfand 1987; Sherwin et al. 1985) or reducing it in the more aroused partner, the discrepancy could be minimized, possibly softening a major source of relationship strain.”
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- Authors
- Braunstein, G. D., Sundwall, D. A., Katz, M., Shifren, J. L., Buster, J. E., Simon, J. A., Bachman, G., Aguirre, O. A., Lucas, J. D., Rodenberg, C., Buch, A., & Watts, N. B.
- Affiliations
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (US)
- Venue
- Archives of Internal Medicine
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 2005-07-25
- Volume
- 165
- Issue
- 14
- Pages
- 1582
- ISSN
- 0003-9926 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2154434149
- Cited by
- 458
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 29
- FWCI
- 26.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Rutgers University Community Repository (Rutgers University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
- Keywords
- hypoactive sexual desire disorder, testosterone patch, transdermal testosterone, surgical menopause, oophorectomy, hysterectomy, sexual desire, sexual frequency, dose-response relationship, adverse events, hormone replacement therapy
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Cutaneous, Adult, Aged, Androgens, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Double-Blind Method, Estrogens, Female, Humans, Hysterectomy, Menopause, Premature, Middle Aged, Ovariectomy, Sexual Behavior, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Testosterone, Treatment Outcome, Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
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