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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Testosterone Patch Boosts Female Sex Drive

Treatment significantly lifted libido in study of menopausal women

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(Newser) – A testosterone patch boosted menopausal women's sexual desire and satisfaction in a new study, the Chicago Tribune reports. The women reported a big leap in libido, and their number of satisfying sexual experiences rose from twice a month to once a week. Some suffered side effects, including facial hair growth. Three developed breast cancer during the study, but researchers are unsure whether it was related to the treatment.

The study, funded by Procter & Gamble, was one of several investigating ways to reduce women’s sexual difficulties that have sparked debate over the benefits of treatments versus the risk of side effects. "I think most women would be happy with it," said a co-author of the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "They wanted to return to the level of desire they had in their premenopausal years, and that's what they got."

Women using a testosterone patch reported an average of 1.4 more satisfying sexual encounters per month than women on a placebo.
Women using a testosterone patch reported an average of 1.4 more satisfying sexual encounters per month than women on a placebo.   (Shutter Stock)
The study differed from previous ones in using testosterone on women who were not also receiving estrogen treatment.
The study differed from previous ones in using testosterone on women who were not also receiving estrogen treatment.   (AP GRAPHIC)
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Although the change in activity is modest, that's something that is appropriate and I think most women would be more than happy with it. - Study co-author Sheryl A. Kingsberg, Ph.D.

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3 comments
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dolcevita
Nov 7, 08 12:10 PM CST
Good to see women's sexual health getting scientific attention for a change. Now, about those side effects,.... Reply
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VenomousKate
Nov 14, 08 2:04 PM CST
Hm. So making women more like men via testosterone makes them as horny as men, with side effects that may make them look like them, too? No thanks. I'll stick with AAA batteries, thank you. Reply
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Monjubikahn
Oct 11, 09 11:21 PM CDT
I hope those are solar powered triple AAA batteries. There is nothing sexier than a woman who is green. Have you read "Thuvia Maid of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, VenomousKate? Reply
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