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" Reader Question: I&amp;#039;ve heard that women can use testosterone to increase their libido. Is it safe?  Using testosterone creams, gels, pills or injections to boost libido in women is complicated and controversial\u2014and until we know more about it, I don&amp;#039;t personally recommend it. Testosterone is a sex hormone made by the ovaries, and it seems to decline with age. But it&amp;#039;s not the only thing controlling your sex drive: Decreased levels of estrogen at menopause can lead to vaginal dryness that can make sex painful (and less desirable), and psychological factors play a role, too. In a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, 814 postmenopausal women with low sexual desire were given a patch containing 150 or 300 mcg/day of testosterone, or no hormones at all (control group). The group using the 300 mcg/day patch had the greatest sexual response, but it was also the group most likely to experience unwanted hair growth. Additionally, four women using testosterone ended up with breast cancer. (No women in the control group did.) This may be due to chance, but we don&amp;#039;t know for sure. Other potential downsides of testosterone therapy can include acne, liver inflammation and even aggressive personality changes. Bottom line: We need more research. If you do decide to try it, talk to your doctor and be sure to monitor side effects very carefully. I want to hear from you, so e-mail me your questions at dailywd@womansday.com.  Disclaimer: Your seeking information on health related topics and/or Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD&amp;#039;s providing such information herein constitutes neither the solicitation of nor the provision of medical advice, services, care or treatment. Communication with Dr. Fryhofer on this website does not create a doctor/patient relationship. For concerns about your own particular medical condition, you should consult your own medical professional, who can examine and evaluate you. Communication on a website is not a substitute for taking an active role in your own medical care and treatment and being personally seen by a physician of choice in your area.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/a41006/testosterone-libido-5353/>