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SUSAN RAKO, M.D. Dr. Susan Rako, author of the groundbreaking bestseller, The Hormone of Desire:The Truth About Testosterone, Sexuality And Menopause is the pre-eminent authority on testosteronedeficiency and supplementation for women in menopause orfollowing hysterectomy or chemotherapy. Dr. Rako has been apsychiatrist in private practice in the Boston area for thepast 28 years. She both trained and taught at HarvardMedical School's Massachusetts Mental Health Center, ateaching hospital in the department of Psychiatry.

Her search and discovery in the medical archives of a bodyof information linking testosterone to women's sexuality ledto her writing her book and to conducting workshops to teachwomen how to take care of themselves and to find the medicalattention they need and deserve for health and quality of life.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** How Do I Know If I Have A Testosterone Deficiency?by Susan Rako, M.D.*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Women can develop testosterone deficiency during the two to three years preceding menopause, but more commonly during the five years following. For some women, lack of sexual interest may occur suddenly, for others, the change may be more gradual. The average age for a woman at menopause is about 50. About 8 percent of all women have a full, natural menopause before the age of 40. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency can develop for these women as early as their mid-to late 30’s.

Women who have had a hysterectomy, even if the ovaries have been left in place, are very likely to develop testosterone deficiency, and can benefit substantially from appropriate evaluation and supplementatation of testosterone.

Women who have had chemotherapy resulting in loss of ovarian function often develop testosterone deficiency.

Signs And Symptoms Of Testosterone Deficiency

* Loss of vital energy and feeling of well-being. * Loss of your familiar level of sexual desire. * Loss of sexual sensitivity in your nipples and genitals. * Flatness of mood and some loss of mental sharpness. * Dry skin and brittle scalp hair. * Loss of muscle tone. * For some women: thinning or loss of pubic hair. * Decreased production of red blood cells by bone marrow and loss of calcium from bones - which can contribute toosteoporosis. * For some women: Loss of muscle tone in the bladder and pelvis - resulting in symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Each woman must evaluate her sexual arousability in the context ofher physical, emotional, historical and relational circumstances. Some helpful questions to ask yourself if you think your body may not be producing sufficient testosterone are:

What is my normal level of energy, sense of well-being, sexual desire and pleasure?

* Am I suffering a significant loss in this level of well-being,sexual desire and pleasure? * Do I notice a lack of arousability in my nipples and clitoris? * Do I notice not only that I have no particular interest inmaking love, but also (if this is part of one’s sexual life)that I do not feel like masturbating? * In even the most conducive to me circumstances, does ittake a long time for me to be aroused? * If I do have an orgasm, is it diminished in intensity? * Have I noticed (if this is part of one’s sexual life) a lack ofsexual dreams and fantasies?

While there are many possible contributing factors to loss of sexual desire, unless you have enough testosterone, nothing else that you can do to improve your sexual sensitivity, arousability and pleasure will be effective.

* Read more about Dr. Susan Rako* Read the transcripts of Dr. Susan Rako's visits