It is known that a lower estrogen level following menopause is one of the culprits behind a decreased libido. A small study shows that testosterone patches can boost post-menopausal women’s desire and sexual functioning.

Does this miraculous solution imply an increased risk of breast cancer? The study demonstrates that "when used alone, testosterone administered by a skin patch significantly improves sexual well-being in postmenopausal women," according to the study. The one-year trial showed that at 24 week of treatment with 300 micrograms of testosterone per day, women on average engaged in sexual activities twice a month compared to less than once a month without the treatment.

During the study, breast cancer was diagnosed in four of the 534 women in the two treatment groups, but none of the 277 placebo recipients. Dr. Susan R. Davis, the study’s lead author and a professor of women's health at Monash University in Australia said the cancer cases were not related to treatment with the patches: two women probably had their cancers prior to the start of the study, while another had a high risk of the disease.

The results of the study support previous findings that testosterone has positive effects on sexuality. With almost no side effects. A number of studies have concluded that there is no evidence that adding testosterone to conventional postmenopausal hormone treatment influences breast cancer risk.

Except for one minor side effect: women who want to improve their sex lives may have to deal with extra hair growth.

Results of the study were published in the Nov. 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.