Patch May Restore Sex Drive After Menopause

Procter & Gamble Co. of Cincinnati is developing a testosterone patch it says could restore the sex drive in post-menopausal women.

The patch, called Intrinsa, won’t be available for several years.

Nearly transparent and the size of an egg, the patch is worn just below the navel and changed about twice weekly.

Large-scale testing of the patch in volunteers starts this month, one of the last stages before U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

While generally associated with the male sex drive, testosterone also is needed for the female response. Studies have shown levels of the hormone fall after menopause.