[Sexuality in menopause. Importance of adequate replacement therapy].
OBJECTIVE
The harmful repercussions of estrogen deficiency in menopause on the female organism are also responsible for reduced libido and uncomfortable trophic disorders of the genitourinary tract leading to reduced vaginal lubrication and severe alterations affecting sexual function, as well as for the more commonplace vasomotor phenomena and psychoemotive changes.


METHODS
The authors treated 102 menopausal patients who presented reduced libido and orgasmic difficulties, as well as other menopausal problems, with 17-beta estradiol+noretisterone acetate using a transdermal route. The main advantage offered by the transdermal route is that conjugated estrogens "bypass" the liver and reach the target organs in an unmodified manner. This treatment is well tolerated by almost all patients, even those suffering from slight gastroenteric and hepatic problems.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed the good tolerability and almost complete innocuousness of the drug used. None of the patients receiving replacement therapy reported any collateral effects worthy of note or the onset of malignant lesions of the breast or pelvic organs. The results obtained show that the use of 17-beta estradiol+noretisterone acetate can effectively modify menopausal symptoms, improving both quality of life and sexual function.
Grio
R
R
Dipartimento di Scienze Ginecologiche Ostetriche, Università degli Studi, Torino.
Cellura
A
A
Porpiglia
M
M
Geranio
R
R
Piacentino
R
R
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology