Just How Effective and Safe Is Testosterone Therapy in Women?

Although some clinicians manage bothersome low sexual desire by administering testosterone (T), no formulation specifically for women is available in most countries, including the U.S. Thus, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials of T in women. The study focused transdermal patches releasing 300 µg T daily (resulting in blood T levels at the upper end of the premenopausal range) or nontransdermal formulations at doses achieving blood T levels close to those attained with the patch. Of the 36 trials (8480 participants), most were 12 to 24 weeks in length and the longest duration was 2 years.

Compared with placebo (or a comparator such as menopausal estrogen with or without progestin), T si…