title: Patterns and predictors of sexual activity among women in the Hormone Therapy trials of the Women's Health Initiative.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the patterns and predictors of sexual activity in the Hormone Therapy (HT) Trials of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sexual activity questions were administered to 27,347 women ages 50 to 79 years at baseline and at year 1 and to a random 8.6% subsample at years 3 and 6. The associations with demographic and health characteristics were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual activity at baseline was 60.7%, 44.9%, and 28.2% in the 50- to 59-, 60- to 69-, and 70- to 79-year-old age groups, respectively. Most of the participants were satisfied with their current sexual activity (63.2%). Of those dissatisfied, 57% preferred more sexual activity. Vaginal atrophy correlated with sexual inactivity at baseline (P < 0.001). The correlates associated with stopping sexual activity at year 1 included poor/fair self-rated health, lack of satisfaction with quality of life, depression, and loss of partner (P < 0.001). The strongest predictor of sexual activity at year 1 was sexual activity at baseline (odds ratio, 96.71; 95% CI, 81.90-114.20). A subset analysis of women adherent with HT or placebo at years 3 and 6 suggested that HT was associated with a higher percentage of participants reporting sexual activity (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most women in the WHI HT Trials were satisfied with their sexual activity. Of those who were dissatisfied, the majority preferred more, rather than less, sexual activity. Vaginal atrophy at baseline correlated with sexual inactivity, and sexual activity at baseline was the strongest identified predictor of sexual activity at year 1. HT use was not predictive of ongoing sexual activity in the intent-to-treat analysis. This report further characterizes the participants in the WHI HT trials and reveals the complexity of factors related to the prevalence of sexual activity and satisfaction.
authors: The North American Menopause Society, Mayfield Heights, OH 44221, USA. mgass@menopause.org
authors: Margery L S
authors: ML
authors: Gass
authors: Barbara B
authors: BB
authors: Cochrane
authors: Joseph C
authors: JC
authors: Larson
authors: Joann E
authors: JE
authors: Manson
authors: Vanessa M
authors: VM
authors: Barnabei
authors: Robert G
authors: RG
authors: Brzyski
authors: Dorothy S
authors: DS
authors: Lane
authors: June
authors: J
authors: LaValleur
authors: Judith K
authors: JK
authors: Ockene
authors: Charles P
authors: CP
authors: Mouton
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Barad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D011372:Progestins; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate