4 responses to “Minimal evidence of benefit from medications to increase sexual desire”

  1. Thank you for this article and mentioning mindfulness as a way to address some of the issues that can come up when discussing sexual desire with female patients.
    It can be a challenging topic, wrapped up as it is with guilt and shame for many people. Pharmacological intervention is not the way to deal with this.
    I agree that most female patients fall into the category not usually dealt with in previously published studies on this. However, for those that do, is it worthwhile prescribing a testosterone patch if one explains the likely limitations and risks?

  2. Hi Isabelle
    short answer no ..longer one as follows:
    The patch (1) is not available any where (only ever approved in Europe and no longer marketed due to poor sales)
    (2) the second transdermal series (libigel) giving the same amount of T were negative
    (3) safety data are published for only one year …risks particularly high for women with low SHBG – role of SHBG and CVD needs much more research
    (4) nearly all trials were on women receiving systemic estrogen (estrogen often not given long term and should not be initiated years after menopause but close to menopause)
    (5)entry criterion was ‘distressing loss of desire since menopause” …this is not the definition of a sexual disorder –either by DSMIV or DSM-5
    hope this helps!

  3. This is very useful information, as patients are often asking for testosterone. Are there any relevant handouts for patients on this subject?

  4. Interesting article . I work with a male population in prison so this is not likely to change my practice . Thanks

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