Artículo de revista
Sexual function, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Date
2004Registration in:
Maturitas 48 (2004) 411–420
03785122
10.1016/j.maturitas.2003.10.005
Author
González, Marcela
Viáfara, Gloria
Caba, Fresia
Molina, Esteban
Institutions
Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with and
without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To determine the relationship between menopause and sexual activity, and the
impact of HRT on sexual function. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 231 Colombian-born women, aged 40–62 years.
Sexual function was measured by self-questionnaire. The analysis was performed by using the χ2-test and multivariate regression
analysis. The sexual function was divided in five domains: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and pain; in addition, questioning
about sexual satisfaction was included in the research. Results: In the study 38.1% of women showed sexual dysfunction in the
desire, and 25% in the arousal, these two being the most affected domains. Even though menopause marginally decreases all
stages of sexual function, this association was statistically significant only for the lubrication and pain domains. HRT improves
sexual function in the orgasm, lubrication and pain domains in a statistically significant manner. The level of sexual satisfaction
was better on postmenopausal women with HRT than ones without HRT. Age negatively influences almost all sexual function
domains in a significant manner. Conclusions: Menopause affects in a negative manner some domains of female sexual function.
HRT improves some factors of the sexual function during menopause but it not improves desire and arousal which were the most
affected domains. There is a negative association between age and female sexual response in middle-aged women.