LEI (Lack of tEstosterone Impact) survey in a clinical sample with surgical menopause.
OBJECTIVE
To assess perception of sexuality and awareness of the impact of testosterone on sexual desire in a clinical sample of Italian women with surgical menopause.


METHODS
In the present cross-sectional study, a structured interview on sexuality-related menopausal symptoms, attitudes towards sexuality and menopausal profile was administered to 568 women (age range 35-69 years) with bilateral oophorectomy with and without hysterectomy for benign conditions.


RESULTS
The majority of women (58% yes; 36% most of the time) reported they were satisfied with their sexual life before surgical menopause. After oophorectomy, 79.3% noted the appearance/worsening of vaginal dryness, whereas the reduction of sexual desire was reported by 78.7%. Women with low sexual desire (n = 436) were significantly distressed (59.7%) and reported an impairment (24.8% yes/yes, very much) in the relationship with their partner. Sexual reactions of the partner reported by women included reduced sexual desire (17.8%), sexual dysfunction (5.1%) and fears of giving pain/lack of pleasure (28.3%). A high number of women (88.2%) would be willing to discuss sexual matters with their doctors and would consider therapeutic options. Only 36.8% were aware that a lack of testosterone might impact on sexual desire but 71% would like to know more about the role of testosterone. Hormone replacement therapy was used by 38.4% of the women.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that women experience significant vaginal dryness and low sexual desire and report a significant distress in the relationship with their partner after surgical menopause. Sexual counseling is mandatory in order to discuss potential therapeutic strategies, including testosterone use.
Nappi
R E
RE
Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Morphological, Eidological & Clinical Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia.
Lello
S
S
Melis
G Benedetto
GB
Albani
F
F
Polatti
F
F
Genazzani
A R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000209:etiology
D013739:Testosterone