Transdermal testosterone improved sexual function, depressed mood, and well-being in women who had undergone oophorectomy and hysterectomy, reported Dr. Jan. L. Shifren of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and associates.

The 75 women, aged 31-56, were studied at nine clinical centers throughout the United States. All had undergone surgery 1-10 years previously, before natural menopause occurred. All were taking conjugated equine estrogens, had low levels of serum and serum free testosterone, and reported markedly impaired sexual function.

Among the 65 women who completed the study, free and biolavailable levels of testosterone rose to the normal and high-normal range with the testosterone patch, but not with the placebo patch.

Concomitantly, the mean score and index of sexual functioning rose from 52 at baseline to 81 on testosterone therapy. Scores for frequency of sexual activity and sexual pleasure also rose significantly. During active treatment, the women also reported having more sexual fantasies and masturbating more often than when they used the placebo patch and before they entered the study.

The subjects’ scores on measures of general well-being improved. Feelings of vitality increased while those of depression and anxiety decreased, the researchers reported (N. Engl. J. Med. 343 [10]: 682-88, 2000).

The treatment was well tolerated, with four women withdrawing because of adverse effects: Two women became anxious or agitated, one had a recurrence of a nipple discharge, and the fourth woman had an application-site skin reaction to the placebo patch.

Measures of hirsutism and acne did not change. Similarly, the treatment did not “negate the beneficial effects of oral estrogen-replacement therapy on hot flashes and serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,” Dr. Shifren and associated noted.