Testosterone is linked with sexual desire in both men and women.

Women normally produce testosterone throughout the life cycle.

Although postmenopausal ovaries continue to produce testosterone, levels decline with age. Testosterone blood

levels decrease approximately 50% by age 50, which may play a role in the decline in libido,

using masturbation frequency as a partner-independent proxy. A syndrome of female

androgen deficiency symptoms has been popularized, but there's no evidence

testosterone replacement helps with mood or well-being, hot flashes, or bone, cardiovascular,

or metabolic health. The only evidence-based reason to try testosterone and postmenopausal

women is for the treatment of low sexual desire that causes distress.

A systematic review of meta-analysis of three dozen randomized control trials involving

more than 8,000 women found that testosterone treatment significantly increased

postmenopausal sexual desire.

The increase in frequency of satisfactory sexual events was statistically significant,

but not clinically significant enough to warrant FDA approval, especially given the uncertainty

about long-term side effects. The women on testosterone only logged a little under one additional

satisfactory sexual event a month compared to placebo.

Currently, there are more than 30 FDA-approved testosterone products for men, but not for women.

Clinicians can trial a few months of a male transdermal testosterone preparation at one-tenth-th-dose

or less, making sure to check levels to prevent

overdosing, which can have virulizing side effects such as clitoral enlargement and voice changes.

Even at premenopausal physiological doses, testosterone can cause acne and excessive hair growth

on the chin, cheeks, and upper lip. Unlike oral testosterone, formulations administered through the skin don't appear to have

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