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Testosterone Therapy Helping Women

Researchers Testing Hormone-Replacement Treatments

BOSTON, Updated 5:59 p.m. EDT July 19, 2000 -- An unlikely hormone is being tested on women with a low sex drive, NewsCenter 5's Heather Kahn reports on the Health Beat.

Heather Kahn Reports

After Paula Morrissey had a hysterectomy six years ago, her sex drive broke down.

"It affects your marriage because men take it personally; they think it's them and you don't want them anymore," said Paula Morrissey, 56. "I had no sexual desire, whatsoever," she said.

Morrissey never imagined her problem could be a lack of testosterone, the hormone associated with masculinity and machismo.

But that's exactly what some experts think may be troubling many menopausal women and women who have had their ovaries removed, Kahn reports.

"In women what seems to happen with testosterone decline is decreased sense of well-being, decreased libido and possibly increased sexual dysfunction itself," Dr. Erol Onel of the New England Medical Center said.

Kahn reports that there are many testosterone supplements available for men. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are testing a new testosterone patch designed for women.

The testosterone is inside the patch and seeps into the skin. It's very discreet, worn on the abdomen and changed twice a week.

"The goal is to take a hormone that is lower in certain women, increase it into the normal range, back to where they were when they were younger, and hopefully improve sexual function with that," Jan Shifren of Massachusetts General Hospital said.

Additional Information: Check out this OnHealth.com report on testosterone therapy for women. Read more about testosterone-replacement therapy.

"We know it is an important hormone for women," she said. "It's a hormone that women do make."

Prescribing too much testosterone is a concern, some doctors say. But if used properly, it holds great promise, Kahn reports.

"In the properly selected patient, it could make these women feel like 18 again," Onel said.

Testosterone studies in women are still in the early stages. Mass General is still enrolling women in its study.

The major concern about testosterone is giving women too much. Side effects include increased muscle mass, facial hair and other changes, Kahn reports.

If researchers can target proper dosages and prove that testosterone works, there may be a highly effective product available to women in the next few years.

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