Lost your desire? Scientists tested whether testosterone helps women

Have you completely stopped wanting it? It's not laziness and not "your character has deteriorated"

Imagine: previously you looked at your partner and something inside responded. And now — silence. No thoughts, no fantasies, no interest. And you've almost convinced yourself that "this is just how it should be after forty." Spoiler: not necessarily. This condition has a name — hypoactive sexual desire disorder. And one of the approaches scientists are studying is testosterone therapy.

What testosterone even is in women

Yes, women have it too. And yes, it declines with age — roughly like in men. That's why doctors are increasingly prescribing testosterone to women, especially in perimenopause and after it. Most often — to restore desire. Sometimes — for painful sex, weak arousal, or difficulties with orgasm. True, in many cases this prescription is "off-label": medications for women are not approved everywhere.

What 33 studies showed

Scientists collected and analyzed 33 works on testosterone and female sexual problems — both in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Conclusion: testosterone appears to improve libido. Not "cures everything," but specifically desire. After menopause there is noticeably more evidence: there testosterone is associated with improved satisfaction, arousal, frequency of orgasms, pleasure, and even self-perception. Plus it may help with vaginal lubrication — and therefore ease pain due to dryness. Many women with improvements were concurrently using hormone replacement therapy with estrogen, but the effect was noted without it as well.

And if you're not yet 50?

Here everything is foggier. In premenopausal women the results are less consistent: there is a link with improved libido and satisfaction, but there is not enough evidence to confidently say "it works." The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health in its recommendations does not advise testosterone for premenopausal women at all — except for those already approaching perimenopause. So if you're 35 and waiting for a magic pill — scientists themselves are still shrugging.

What this looks like in practice

The recommendations are as follows: testosterone in the form of a gel or cream applied to the skin, in a female dosage. If there is no female form — a male one, but at about ten times less. Apply carefully so as not to expose children and pets. And обязательно under medical supervision: it is necessary to monitor possible problems with the heart and liver, as well as signs of testosterone excess — acne, voice deepening, and others. If it seems that the therapy is not working or something is going wrong — do not endure it, but go to a specialist.

What to do tomorrow

If decreased desire upsets you — that alone is a reason to talk to a doctor, preferably a sexual health specialist. Ask about testosterone: whether it suits you, in what form, at what dose, and how often to check levels. And honestly discuss alternatives. Scientists emphasize: more research is needed — on dosages, long-term safety, and effectiveness in young women. So this is not a "universal solution," but one of the options worth discussing with a specialist.