Can testosterone cream increase sex drive?

Dear Reader, 

When it comes to libido, a little T can go a long way. That said, while studies show that testosterone cream can boost sex drive in people with vaginas, it’s not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be prescribed as such. Read on to learn more about testosterone cream, symptoms and causes of low sex drive, and treatment options that may help.  

What is testosterone? 

Testosterone is often labeled as the manly hormone; however, it plays an important role in the human body regardless of gender. Testosterone is a hormone produced by both the testicles and ovaries, though people with penises typically have higher levels of testosterone. This hormone is often associated with puberty for people born with penises, but it stays active throughout many stages of life for all genders.  

When puberty hits for people with penises, testosterone triggers the development of many physical changes, such as body and pubic hair growth, increased height, a boost in libido, and enlargement of the penis, testes, and prostate gland.  

In adulthood, testosterone continues to be important. For people born with penises, it supports sperm production, helps red blood cell formation, and boosts sex drive. For people with vaginas, testosterone helps support libido and is converted into the hormone estradiol.  

What is testosterone cream and are there side effects? 

Testosterone cream is a lotion medication that helps raise testosterone levels in the body. It’s usually applied in small amounts onto areas like the legs, arms, or stomach, but not directly on the genitals. Health care providers often prescribe testosterone cream as hormone therapy, mostly for people with penises who produce low levels of testosterone.  

When people with vaginas use testosterone cream, there can be some side effects, that include: 

• Acne
• Extra hair growth on the face and body
• Hair thinning or hair loss on the head
• Weight gain 

For all genders, side effects when using testosterone cream include:  

• Allergic reactions (rash, itching, and swelling)
• Blood clots
• Higher blood pressure
• Mood swings 

Can testosterone cream be used to increase sex drive? 

Testosterone cream is mostly used by people with penises to boost sex drive. While testosterone cream isn’t FDA-approved to increase sex drive in people with vaginas, some studies suggest that it can improve the sexual health of post-menopausal individuals. In rare cases, health care providers might prescribe testosterone cream off-label to help boost desire, arousal, and the ability to reach orgasm.  

That said, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of using testosterone cream for boosting sex drive in people with vaginas. Plus, additional research is also needed to understand how testosterone cream affects younger people with vaginas. 

What are the symptoms and causes of low sex drive? 

If you’ve been feeling like your sex drive is lower than usual, that’s okay! There are several reasons why libido might change, whether it be day to day or over the course of your life. Low sex drive can be influenced by a mix of physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors. Some common causes may include: 

• Stress 
• Mental health conditions like depression or anxiety
• Relationship issues
• Sexual conditions such as pain during sex or inability to orgasm
• Health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Medications 
• Alcohol use or recreational drug use 

List adapted from Mayo Clinic 

Signs of low sex drive in people with vaginas may include: 

• Little to no interest in sexual activity including masturbation
• Rarely experiencing sexual thoughts or fantasies 
• Feeling concerned or frustrated about the lack of sexual desire, arousal, or activity 

List adapted from Mayo Clinic 

What are some available treatments for a low sex drive? 

To help improve sex drive in young people with vaginas it might be helpful to meet with a health care provider to discuss treatments that work best for you and your body. Treatments may include working with a sex therapist or trying hormone therapy. One type of hormone therapy is estrogen therapy. Another option is androgen therapy, which includes the use of testosterone. Although not FDA-approved for people with vaginas, some health care providers may recommend androgen therapy in certain cases. For those who are premenopausal, certain medications like flibanserin and bremelanotide may be recommended by a health care provider.  

Lifestyle changes can also make a difference on sex drive regardless of your age. Regular exercise, stress reduction, open communication with your partner(s), and exploring ways to make sex feel more exciting can also help support libido.  

Before trying testosterone cream, consider visiting a health care provider to figure out if that’s the best option for you. They might offer some alternative methods of giving your libido a little boost.  

Hope this helped!