Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Is It Safe to Use Testosterone to Boost Sex Drive?

If a man appears to have little or no interest in sex, try to figure out why before requesting a prescription for testosterone to boost sex drive.

When most people think about differences in sex drive between men and women, they automatically assume that men want sex a lot more than women. That is not always true. We have received an amazing number of reports from women who desire sex a lot more than their male partners. This is just one such story.

Q. I love my husband. He is amazing except for the fact that he hardly ever wants sex. We make love two or three times a month, but only if I initiate it. I fear a year could go by if I didn’t beg him for sex.

We’re in our 30s, so giving up sex seems intolerable. I have suggested he see his doctor to have his testosterone checked, but he is reluctant. He’s read that testosterone to boost sex drive could be dangerous for the heart. Is that true?

A. Judging from the hundreds of messages on our website, you are not alone. Many women report that their partners have lost interest in sex.

We don’t know if the loss of libido is due to hormone disruptors in the environment, prescription medications that lower testosterone levels or a relationship problem.

Taking testosterone to boost sex drive seems like a possible solution, if he is at all willing. It makes sense, of course, to become familiar with potential side effects of testosterone before starting therapy.

Although the FDA has warned about a possible link between testosterone replacement therapy and heart attacks, new research does not support that connection. A study in the European Heart Journal (online, Aug. 6, 2015) shows that men who were treated with testosterone to normalize their hormone levels actually had 24 percent lower risk of a heart attack.

Your husband should have his hormone levels checked and ask his doctor if there is an explanation for his lack of libido. Counseling might also be helpful.

What’s Your Experience with Testosterone to Boost Sex Drive?

As we mentioned above, we have been totally surprised by the large number of women who report a similar experiences to our reader above. They share incredibly candid stories about men who have either little or no interest in sexual activity. And we’re not talking about octogenarians. Many of these reports are from young and middle-aged women. To read their stories, click on the links below:

Women Who Want Sex More Than Men

What Can a Woman Do to Kill Her Sex Drive?

Share your own story. Do you wonder why so many men have lost their libidos? Any thoughts as to why? Is there something in our environment that is lowering testosterone levels in men or changing its impact on the body? Is it reasonable for men to take testosterone to boost sex drive?

We would appreciate your thoughts below in the comment section and please vote on this article at the top of the page.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.2- 16 ratings
About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.