Transdermal Testosterone Treatment in Women with Impaired Sexual Function after Oophorectomy

In premenopausal women, the rate of production of testosterone is about 300 μg (1040 nmol) per day, 1 of which about half is derived from the ovaries and half from the adrenal glands. 2 In women who undergo bilateral oophorectomy before natural menopause, serum testosterone and estradiol concentrations decrease by approximately 50 and 80 percent, respectively. 3 , 4 These women are commonly treated with estrogen to prevent or ameliorate hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, osteoporosis, and heart disease. 5 Despite estrogen therapy, many surgically postmenopausal women have decreased sexual desire (libido), activity, and pleasure 6 – 8 and a decreased general sense of well-being. 9 These symptoms are . . .