Jane Fonda says testosterone lifted her sex life

(CBS) Jane Fonda may owe her famously sexy body to good genes and a healthy lifestyle, but the aging bombshell credits testosterone for her healthy libido. The Oscar-winning actress and workout diva, now 73, started taking the male hormone at age 70, the Telegraph reported.

"Here's something I haven't said publicly yet," she said in a recent interview. "I discovered testosterone about three years ago, which makes a huge difference if you want to remain sexual and your libido has dropped."

Science seems to be on Fonda's side. Though testosterone supplements aren't approved for use by women, recent studies have shown that they can boost women's sex drive, according to WebMD. Women who take testosterone have been shown to have more sexual thoughts and fantasies as well as more satisfying sex.

The supplements may be helpful for women who have had their ovaries removed or who have certain adrenal or pituitary gland problems, as well as those whose libido has lagged for unknown reasons. But the supplements should not be taken by women who could become pregnant, nor by women who have or have had breast or uterine cancer, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, or liver disease, according to WebMD.

Testosterone is available in pills, patches, or gels. But because these can deliver a dose that may be too high for women, it may be better for women to ask a d doctor prescribe a custom-compounded supplement.

Increased growth of facial hair can be a problem for some women who try testosterone, the Los Angeles Times reported. And that's not the only possible side effect, as Fonda found out the hard way.

"I had to stop because it was giving me acne," she said. "It's one thing having plastic surgery, but it is quite another to have adolescence acne. That is going too far."

WebMD has more on sex-boosting tips for aging women.