Can adding testosterone help with lost libido?
Adding small amounts of testosterone to estrogen replacement therapy may restore failing libido, may resolve persistent hot flashes, and may restore decreased bone density – all consequences of menopause that can affect the quality of life and health of postmenopausal women. It plays a role in self-confidence, muscle growth, bone growth, sexual desire and arousal, and memory. Although sexual arousal is largely due to testosterone, estrogen is necessary for the vagina to respond to the stimulus. If testosterone is high and estrogen is low, there can be no arousal. Testosterone is a mediator for Nitrous Oxide, which mediates signals through other compounds in men and women. These other compounds are thought to have a role in the control of vaginal smooth muscle. Estrogen is a mediator for vasoactive protein (VIP) a protein that is also essential for the sexual arousal response. They are both necessary for an optimal vasocongestion (swelling) and lubrication of the human vagina.
