Although TRT is also not currently approved for use in women, doctors will prescribe it, said Dr. Nancy Durand, a gynecologist at Women's College Hospital. Available by injection, as pills, or as a topical cream, testosterone can cause unwanted hair growth and liver impairment, so patients on TRT need to be closely monitored by their physician.
Durand cautions that women shouldn’t expect testosterone to solve all their sexual problems.
‘Some women with low testosterone have great libidos, and others with normal blood levels have low desire,’ she said. Consequently, TRT does not always influence low libido. Still, about 30 to 50 % of patients on TRT report a significant improvement.
Regardless of a patient’s age and specific sexual complaint, Durand prefers to refer her (and her partner) to a therapist to explore her complaints as well as doing lab tests and taking supplements, if indicated.
Women may manifest their conflicted feelings about a relationship as sexual dysfunction, she says. As such, ‘the best prevention is a healthy relationship.’
