title: Testosterone improves antidepressant-emergent loss of libido in women: findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female sexual dysfunction is a side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of transdermal testosterone (TT) as a treatment for SSRI/SNRI-emergent loss of libido.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Forty-four women, aged 35-55 years, on a stable dose of SSRI or SNRI with treatment-emergent loss of libido were randomly allocated to treatment with a TT patch delivering 300 mcg of testosterone/day or an identical placebo patch (Pl) for 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was the change in the Sabbatsberg Sexual Self-rating Scale (SSS) total score over 12 weeks. The 4-week frequency of Satisfactory Sexual Events (SSEs) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, there were no differences between the treatment groups. At week 12, the change in the SSS score did not differ between the two groups. The increase in the 4-week frequency of SSEs was significantly greater for the TT group than for the Pl group (an increase of 2.3 events vs. 0.1, P = 0.02). The between-group difference in the change in the FSDS-R score approached statistical significance (P = 0.06). The mean total serum testosterone level at 12 weeks in the TT group was 2.1 nmol/L. No women withdrew because of androgenic adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TT therapy resulted in a significant increase in the number of SSEs compared with Pl therapy in women with SSRI/SNRI-emergent loss of libido. The lack of improvement in the SSS total score may reflect lack of sensitivity of this instrument for the measurement of change in sexual function. This provides the first evidence that TT therapy may be a treatment option for women with SSRI/SNRI-emergent loss of libido who need to remain on their antidepressant therapy.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Ensieh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fooladi
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jane
authors.forename: Penelope J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Jayashri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Female Sexual Dysfunction; Loss of Libido; SNRI; SSRI; Testosterone