Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between endogenous
serum concentration of estradiol (E2) and changes in sexual function in post-menopausal women over 3 years. Methods: Sexually active women (N=345, mean age=65 years) who participated in the multiple outcomes of raloxifene evaluation
trial (MORE) had endogenous E2 levels measured at baseline. All women completed the sexual history questionnaire
at baseline and 3 years later. We assessed sexual function (desire, activity, feelings/experiences
and sexual problems) among these women by endogenous E2 level (<20 pmol/l or ≥20 pmol/l). Results: At baseline, women with E2 levels <20 pmol/l had significantly greater discomfort and inability to relax compared with women
with E2 ≥20 pmol/l (P<0.05 for all). After 3 years, women with E2 ≥20 pmol/l had significantly less decline in sexual enjoyment (P<0.02), satisfaction (P<0.02), sexual comfort (P<0.05) and sexual feelings summary score (P=0.001), when compared with women who had E2 levels <20 pmol/l. Conclusions: Endogenous E2 levels are important predictors of change in sexual function in elderly women who
are sexually active. However, this result needs to be proven in a study with a bigger
sample size of sexually active women, who present with changes in sexual function
over several years. Also, future investigations are needed to assess the effects of
other endogenous hormones on sexual function in elderly women.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 10,
2003
Received in revised form:
November 25,
2003
Received:
July 14,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
