Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of 10 mg topical testosterone therapy daily (2 cm Andro-Feme cream) as a treatment for low sexual desire in postmenopausal hysterectomized women who were already on transdermal estrogen.
Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study (each period being of 3 months' duration) was performed in the research center of a tertiary referral women's hospital. Thirty-six menopausal healthy women were recruited who had undergone a hysterectomy, who were not depressed, were in a stable relationship and who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for low sexual desire, as measured by the Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women (BISF-W).
Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was improvement in the sexuality score as measured by a validated tool (BISF-W); secondary measures were sub-scores of the BISF-W, effect on mood and energy, lipids and testosterone levels.
Results: Testosterone cream significantly improved sexual desire, frequency of sex, receptivity and initiation as measured by the BISF-W score. It did not change mood, energy, lipids, blood pressure or weight over the study period.
Conclusions: Testosterone cream significantly improved sexual scores in menopausal women with low sexual desire. It was effective, easy to use and had no side-effects over the 3-month period of active treatment. It offers a novel and acceptable method of administering testosterone to menopausal women.