Testosterone therapy for women with low sexual desire: a position statement from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism

• Published in: Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism Vol. 63; no. 3; pp. 190 - 198
• Main Authors: Weiss, Rita V, Hohl, Alexandre, Athayde, Amanda, Pardini, Dolores, Gomes, Larissa, Oliveira, Monica de, Meirelles, Ricardo, Clapauch, Ruth, Spritzer, Poli Mara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia 18-07-2019; Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Androgens - adverse effects; Androgens - blood; Androgens - therapeutic use; Consensus; Female; female sexual disorder; Humans; Libido - drug effects; Middle Aged; position; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - drug therapy; Societies, Medical; Testosterone - adverse effects; Testosterone - blood; Testosterone - therapeutic use; Testosterone therapy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2359-3997; 2359-4292; 2359-4292
• DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000152

To summarize current evidence regarding testosterone treatment for women with low sexual desire.
The Female Endocrinology and Andrology Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism invited nine experts to review the physiology of testosterone secretion and the use, misuse, and side effects of exogenous testosterone therapy in women, based on the available literature and guidelines and statements from international societies.
Low sexual desire is a common complaint in clinical practice, especially in postmenopausal women, and may negatively interfere with quality of life. Testosterone seems to exert a positive effect on sexual desire in women with sexual dysfunction, despite a small magnitude of effect, a lack of long-term safety data, and insufficient evidence to make a broad recommendation for testosterone therapy. Furthermore, there are currently no testosterone formulations approved for women by the relevant regulatory agencies in the United States, Brazil, and most other countries, and testosterone formulations approved for men are not recommended for use by women.
Therefore, testosterone therapy might be considered if other strategies fail, but the risks and benefits must be discussed with the patient before prescription. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2019;63(3):190-8.