Sexually and well-being in early menopause. Effect of transdermal estradiol therapy.
BACKGROUND
This study focus on the effect of 6 months transdermal estradiol therapy (TTS) on the sexual behaviour and the quality of life in early menopausal women, complaining of uncomfortable menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
Three hundred and sixty-two postmenopausal women, aged 48-56, participated in this study. One hundred and seventy-one of them were given continuous solid matrix patch TTS 50 mg/day for 6 months. Sexual behaviour, menopausal symptoms and well-being were evaluated through a self-rating method. We used a structured questionnaire with three obligatory answers (less/same/more) for each question--sexual life, hot flushes, touchiness, insomnia, blood pressure, work willing, memory loss, well-being--filled in by the women themselves or by the medical equipe after a telephone interview.


RESULTS
Seventy five per cent of women aged 51-53 and 84% aged 54-56, who had been treated for 6 months with TTS showed a fall of sexual drive, if compared with, respectively, 62% and 48% of untreated subjects. Relief of hot flushes, touchiness and insomnia occurred in 80% of treated women, with slight differences among the various groups while 61% showed increase of well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study demonstrate that continuous TTS for 6 months decreased sexual drive in 69% of women, improved menopausal symptoms in 80% women but increased well-being only in 61% of women. These differences suggest that women's well-being does not seem linked only to the relief of menopausal symptoms and the impairment of their sexual life can play a negative role.
Rigano
A
A
Department of Obstestric and Gynecology, Endocrinological Gynecology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Rigano
M
M
Cancellieri
F
F
Pullè
C
C
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019529:Sexuality / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004958:Estradiol