Quality of life and sexuality changes in postmenopausal women receiving tibolone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tibolone on the sexuality and quality of life of Taiwanese postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Forty-eight postmenopausal women were enrolled and prospectively randomized to receive either HRT or tibolone for 3 months. At the end of the 3-month period, quality of life measures were assessed using the Greene Climacteric Scale and attitudes of sexuality were evaluated using the McCoy Sex Scale.


RESULTS
Based on subjective qualitative scores, tibolone treatment was at least as effective as continuous combined HRT in improving quality of life. It also effectively prevented withdrawal bleeding, which may occur during HRT use. Compared with continuous combined HRT, tibolone treatment was also associated with perceived improvement of sexual performance, including general sexual satisfaction, sexual interest, sexual fantasies, sexual arousal and orgasm, with decreased frequencies of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicate that both tibolone and continuous combined HRT have positive effects on the quality of life of Taiwanese postmenopausal women. Sexuality is affected more by tibolone than by HRT.
Wu
M H
MH
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Pan
H A
HA
Wang
S T
ST
Hsu
C C
CC
Chang
F M
FM
Huang
K E
KE
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D009652:Norpregnenes; D014280:Triglycerides; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; C027385:tibolone