Transdermal testosterone fails to boost libido in cancer survivors.(Gynecology)

ATLANTA -- Transdermal testosterone was no better than placebo for improving libido in female cancer survivors after 4 weeks, according to results of a randomized, blinded, crossover study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

In the 131 women who completed the study, both testosterone and placebo provided similar significant improvements in libido.

The North Central Cancer Treatment Group's N02C3 study randomized 150 women to 10 mg/day transdermal testosterone in Vanicream (Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc.) or placebo (vehicle alone) for 4 weeks, followed by a crossover to the opposite treatment arm for 4 weeks.

All women were postmenopausal with no active disease, and all had reported decreased sexual desire. The investigators excluded women with comorbidities that might confound results. Women were an average of 52 years old; 31% were receiving aromatase inhibitors during the study, and 47% were receiving tamoxifen. Most women (72%) had at least one intact ovary, 80% had received prior chemotherapy, and only 7% had received pelvic radiotherapy.

Efficacy was measured using the Changes in Sexual Functioning ...