Genistein supplements might not induce clitoral modifications in postmenopausal women: a prospective, pilot study.
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.
Battaglia
Cesare
C
University of Bologna-Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Via Massarenti, 13 -40138 Bologna, Italy. cesare.battaglia@unibo.it
Cianciosi
Arianna
A
Mancini
Fulvia
F
Fabbri
Raffaella
R
Busacchi
Paolo
P
Nappi
Rossella Elena
RE
Venturoli
Stefano
S
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
D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D019833:Genistein