Q. I was fascinated to read that women’s sexual desire increases after they take testosterone under the tongue. Could you get the same effect by eating “mountain oysters” (cattle testicles) or would the cooking process and digestive juices destroy the testosterone you might get?
A. You are referring to the following question and answer:
Q. When we were first married, my husband and I had a great sex life. I love him as much as ever, but I am not as interested in sex as I used to be. He’s been very patient, but this must be frustrating for him too. He heard on the radio that testosterone can improve a woman’s libido. I am leery of taking hormones. Is this drug safe?
We responded to this woman by acknowledging that testosterone can increase some women’s sexual desire. But possible side effects such as deepened voice, development of facial hair and lower beneficial HDL cholesterol could well discourage regular use.
In a small preliminary study, Dutch researchers reported on a different way to use testosterone. A double-blind trial published in the Archives of General Psychiatry (Feb. 2000, pages 149-153) found that small doses of testosterone (0.5 mg) given under the tongue led women to experience significantly more sexual arousal:
“Sublingual intake of testosterone caused a sharp increase in plasma testosterone levels within 15 minutes; these levels declined to baseline values within 90 minutes. Three to 4(1/2) hours after reaching peak testosterone level, we found a statistically significantly increase in genital responsiveness. Furthermore, on the day of testosterone treatment, there also was a strong and statistically significant association between the increase in genital arousal and subjective reports of “genital sensations” and “sexual lust” after 4(1/2) hours.
CONCLUSIONS:
There is a time lag in the effect of sublingually administered testosterone on genital arousal in women. In addition, a consecutive increase in vaginal arousal might cause higher genital sensations and sexual lust.”
The researchers also exposed the women in this study to repeated “visual erotic stimulation.” It is entirely possible that the combination of testosterone and the images they were shown created a cumulative effect.
The researchers used a form of testosterone that is not available in the United States.
A different study from the Netherlands investigated the effect of vaginal application of testosterone. Ten women were randomized to received either 2 mg of testosterone propionate intravaginally or a placebo. Although it raised testosterone levels within 6 hours this formulation did not affect female sexual responsiveness.
A recent review in the Journal of Family Practice (Feb. 2013) does suggest that when testosterone is applied to the skin in the form of a patch, it improves libido in women with a low sex drive. This treatment has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
What About Mountain Oysters?
Rocky Mountain Oysters (aka, cowboy caviar, prairie oysters, Montana tendergroins) are bull calf testicles. While they probably do contain testosterone, we could not find any scientific studies that would answer your question. Both men and women absorb testosterone when it is prescribed as a pill, but we doubt that you would get a pharmacological dose of the hormone from cooked mountain oysters.
Anyone who would like to learn more about testosterone and this complex issue may find our Guide to Female Sexuality of interest. Do not be confused by the cost on the website. We promise that when you get to checkout there is absolutely no cost.
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