Testosterone Therapy for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Postmenopausal Women

Testosterone plays a crucial role in female physiology, particularly in sexual function, mood regulation, and bone health. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a common condition in postmenopausal women, characterized by persistent low sexual desire, causing distress. Testosterone therapy has emerged as an effective treatment for HSDD in postmenopausal women, improving sexual desire, satisfaction, and the frequency of satisfying sexual encounters. Current guidelines from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health and the Global Consensus Position Statement endorse testosterone therapy for postmenopausal women with HSDD. This article reviews the therapeutic potential, safety, and clinical considerations of testosterone therapy, including candidate assessment, formulation selection, dosing, and monitoring. Future research directions focus on optimizing testosterone therapy regimens and exploring its additional benefits in mood and breast cancer risk reduction.