Skip to content

Testosterone cream for women?

Page last modified on: September 22, 2008
Question from Flyby: How does testosterone cream affect women? I was hoping to use something that could help libido.
Answers —Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: If your libido is sagging, your doctor may evaluate your hormone levels and find a very low testosterone level. Under the circumstances, your doctor, usually a gynecologist, might try giving you a little bit of testosterone to see if it increases your sex drive and ability to enjoy sex.

A little bit of testosterone can go a long way. We still don't know if it's safe to give testosterone, but most people feel comfortable with a little bit. Before going ahead with this, make sure your gynecologist talks to your oncologist about this treatment recommendation.

There are a lot of other reasons why your libido might be lower than it used to be, including all of the post-menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness, vaginal shortening, hot flashes, weight gain, body image changes, and sleep deprivation. Stay tuned to next month's conference on dealing with these tough issues, featuring a gynecologist who specializes in this area.
Sandra Schnall, M.D.: From an oncology viewpoint, depending on how severe and debilitating one's symptoms are, I often have no objection to a trial of testosterone.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: If it works, it works!
Sandra Schnall, M.D.: When patients are going through breast cancer treatment, sometimes a little testosterone treatment makes them feel better about themselves.

On Wednesday, April 21, 2004, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Hormonal Therapy Updates. Sandra Schnall, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about hormonal therapies and answered questions about which ones work best in different situations, how they might fit into your treatment sequence, how to deal with side effects, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Together we can make a difference

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Sandra F. Schnall, M.D.Sandra F. Schnall, M.D. is a medical oncologist/hematologist who practices at Bryn Mawr Hospital in the Thomas Jefferson University Health System outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2010 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.