The relative effects of hormones and relationship factors on sexual function of women through the natural menopausal transition.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relative effects of hormonal and relationship factors on female sexual function during the natural menopausal transition.


METHODS
Prospective population-based questionnaire study.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted in the patients' homes.


METHODS
Four hundred thirty-eight Australian-born women aged 45-55 years who were still menstruating at baseline. Eight years of longitudinal data were available for 336 of these women, none of whom were hysterectomized.


METHODS
Hormonal levels, age, menopausal status, partner status, and feelings for partner were measured and evaluated with longitudinal structural equation modeling.


METHODS
Short personal experiences questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sexual response was predicted by prior level of sexual function, change in partner status, feelings for partner, and E2 level (R2 = .65); dyspareunia was predicted by prior level of dyspareunia and E2 level (R2 = .53); and frequency of sexual activities was predicted by prior level of sexual function, change in partner status, feelings for partner, and level of sexual response (R2 = .52). The minimum effective dose needed to increase sexual response by 10% (700 pmol/L E2) is twice that needed to decrease dyspareunia.


CONCLUSIONS
Prior function and relationship factors are more important than hormonal determinants of sexual function of women in midlife.
Dennerstein
Lorraine
L
Office for Gender and Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. ldenn@unimelb.edu.au
Lehert
Philippe
P
Burger
Henry
H
D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006728:Hormones