title: Arterial hypertension and female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate female sexual dysfunction in hypertensive postmenopausal women and the effects of antihypertensive therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female sexual dysfunction was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in three groups of postmenopausal patients: normotensive women (group A: 240 women), hypertensive women without therapy (group B: 220 women), hypertensive women on therapy (group C: 80 women).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of female sexual dysfunction was increased in group B compared to groups A and C. Healthy patients showed higher FSFI scores compared to hypertensive patients (groups B and C). Hypertensive-treated patients accounted for higher scores in all items compared to hypertensive patients without therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Essential hypertension significantly affects female sexual function. Physicians should recognize and properly manage FSD in hypertensive women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences - Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Franciscis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mainini
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Messalli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laudando
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Della Puca
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Cerreto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torella
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents