Testosterone replacement therapy
When steroid hormone levels testosterone decline in both sexes, libido too. It’s a normal part of the aging process. Unlike menopause, where the clinical consequences of estrogen is known, the clinical consequences of low testosterone levels are not well established.
Treatment options may include:
For men
A topical testosterone gel or cream (AndroGel, Testim) can be used, or a testosterone transdermal patch (Androderm) can be applied once daily to mimic daily testosterone secretion. Another option is a testosterone cypionate injection or testosterone enanthatethat patients can learn to give themselves at home.
The newest product available is a testosterone pellet, Testopel, which is placed by a doctor under the skin of the buttock under local anesthesia. It provides a sustained-release dose of testosterone over three to six months. An oral form of testosterone, Jatenzois also now approved for use in the United States.
For women
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved testosterone supplements as a treatment for women with low libido, but substantial research supports its effectiveness in women, including one study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. “Clinicians sometimes prescribe the gel or patch to women for off-label use. As in men, adverse effects of testosterone treatment can be minimized through appropriate dosing and monitoring of blood levels,” says Parish.
