Prevalence of symptoms in relation to androgen concentrations in women using estrogen plus progestogen and women using estrogen alone.
OBJECTIVE
Women using estrogen plus progestogen therapy sometimes report difficult to describe symptoms, eg, changes in libido, mood, and memory, that may be related to decreased androgens. To evaluate the prevalence of such symptoms and relate these symptoms to androgen levels in women using estrogen plus progestogen therapy, data from the Women's Health in the Lund Area Study were analyzed.


METHODS
A total of 2,816 women using estrogen plus progestogen therapy were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of questions concerning sexual well-being and different aspects of quality of life. Serum concentrations of testosterone, androstendione, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estradiol were measured.


RESULTS
A total of 2,048 questionnaires were eligible for evaluation. Almost 40% of the women reported decreased libido. Approximately 70% were satisfied with their current sex life. Eight percent reported that intercourse was unpleasant because of vaginal dryness. No evident associations were found between libido and serum hormone concentrations. The most positive effects of estrogen plus progestogen therapy concerning memory and urinary tract and vaginal complaints were found in women with the highest and/or moderate testosterone levels (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We found no strong association between symptoms related to sexual well-being or quality of life and androgen concentrations in this study. Estrogen plus progestogen therapy did not seem to affect symptoms that might be related to low levels of androgens in the group of climacteric women whom we studied.
Spetz
Anna-Clara E
AC
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. Anna-Clara.Spetz@LiO.se
Fredriksson
Mats G
MG
Lidfeldt
Jonas
J
Samsioe
Göran N
GN
D000339:Affect; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003863:Depression; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008568:Memory; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D011372:Progestins; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol