title: Genistein supplements might not induce clitoral modifications in postmenopausal women: a prospective, pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vaginal dryness, low sexual desire, and low sexual arousability are critical issues for many postmenopausal women. Hormone therapy seems to improve vaginal lubrication and dyspareunia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate, in postmenopausal women who refused hormonal therapy, the role of genistein in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms and its capacity to induce clitoral volumetric and vascular modifications independently from sexual stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine postmenopausal women who refused hormonal therapy were submitted to oral daily treatment with genistein 45 mg (Group I; N = 15); or no treatment (Group II; N = 14). The Group II patients served as controls. The patients were not randomly assigned to the two groups. The patients were studied before and after 3 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial and clitoral ultrasonographic analysis; color Doppler evaluation of the dorsal clitoral artery; evaluation of hormonal plasma concentrations; administration of the two-factor Italian McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire; compilation of a monthly diary reporting the number of hot flashes. The ultrasound, color Doppler and psychometric tests were performed by examiners blinded to the participant's group assignment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the genistein-treated patients the vasomotor symptoms ameliorated at the end of the study. The use of genistein did not influence any other parameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postmenopausal women submitted to a 3-months treatment with genistein showed an improvement of vasomotor symptoms. However, isoflavones seem to not induce any modification in the clitoral structures.
authors.affiliation: University of Bologna-Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Via Massarenti, 13 -40138 Bologna, Italy. cesare.battaglia@unibo.it
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianciosi
authors.forename: Fulvia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Busacchi
authors.forename: Rossella Elena
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venturoli
mesh_terms: D002987:Clitoris / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D019833:Genistein / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D019833:Genistein