Efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women

a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: 

Evaluation of the use of testosterone therapy for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) after oophorectomy has mostly involved women treated with oral estrogen preparations. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch in surgically menopausal women receiving concurrent transdermal estrogen.

Design: 

Women with HSDD after oophorectomy, for whom this was a concern, who were using transdermal estrogen, were recruited to a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Europe and Australia. Patients were randomly allocated to placebo (n = 40) or testosterone 300 μg/day (n = 37) treatment. Primary endpoints were changes in sexual desire measured by the sexual desire domain of the Profile of Female Sexual Function and the frequency of satisfying sexual activity at 24 weeks.

Results: 

Sixty-one women (79%) completed the trial. All subjects who received at least one application of study medication were included in analysis. The testosterone-treated group experienced a significantly greater change from baseline in the domain sexual desire score compared with placebo (change from baseline, 16.43 versus 5.98; P = 0.02). The domain scores for arousal, orgasm, decreased sexual concerns, responsiveness, and self-image as well as decreased distress were also significantly greater with testosterone therapy than placebo. The frequency of satisfactory sexual events increased but was not statistically different between treatment groups (P = 0.06) Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both groups, and no serious risks of therapy were observed

Conclusions: 

In this study, transdermal testosterone therapy via a skin patch improved sexual desire and other sexual function domains. It was well tolerated in these oophorectomized women with HSDD receiving concomitant transdermal estrogen.

In Brief

Published studies of testosterone therapy for surgically menopausal women have mostly involved concurrent oral estrogen therapy. In this trial, oophorectomized women with low sexual desire using transdermal estradiol therapy were treated with transdermal testosterone therapy or placebo. Testosterone therapy significantly improved sexual desire and other sexual function domains versus placebo and was well tolerated.