Effect of Androgens upon Libido in Women

Abstract

The effect of androgens upon libido was studied in a series of 101 [female][female] comprising 29 cases of primary frigidity with somatic gynecologic disorders; 30 cases of secondary frigidity associated with estrogen deficiency, and 42 cases with normal libido. Androgen therapy employed included testosterone propionate in sesame oil, given intramusc., methyl testosterone orally and pellet implantations of testosterone. The estrogen deficient cases were divided into 3 groups and treated respectively with a) androgens, b) estrogens and c) estrogens and androgens simultaneously. 88 of 101 patients treated with androgens reported varying degrees of increase in libido; 29 of these reported excessive stimulation. These effects subsided within 2-4 wks. after discontinuation of the androgen therapy. In the group of estrogen deficient cases treated with androgens alone, libido was stimulated but coitus was not pleasurable because of dyspareunia resulting from the estrogen deficiency; the group treated with estrogens alone reported no increase in libido; the 3rd group treated with both estrogens and androgens reported stimulation of libido and normal coital gratification. Androgens apparently stimulate the psychic and somatic components of the sexual mechanism, causing a heightened susceptibility to psychic stimulation; an increased sensitivity of the external genitalia; and a greater intensity of sexual gratification in normal [female][female] as well as in [female][female] with endocrinopathic frigidity. Estrogens had no such stimulating effects upon the psycho-sexual mechanism. An adequate supply of estrogens appears, however, to be necessary for normal completion of the sexual performance in a vaginal orgasm, since in the presence of an estrogen deficiency, the resultant dyspareunia prevents satisfactory culmination of the act.