title: Masturbation frequency and sexual function domains are associated with serum reproductive hormone levels across the menopausal transition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether reproductive hormones are related to sexual function during the menopausal transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) is a multiethnic cohort study of the menopausal transition located at seven US sites. At baseline, the 3302 community-based participants, aged 42-52, had an intact uterus and at least one ovary and were not using exogenous hormones. Participants self-identified as White, Black, Hispanic, Chinese, or Japanese. At baseline and at each of the 10 follow-up visits, sexual function was assessed by self-administered questionnaires, and blood was drawn to assay serum levels of T, estradiol, FSH, SHBG, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported frequency of masturbation, sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, and pain during intercourse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Masturbation, sexual desire, and arousal were positively associated with T. Masturbation, arousal, and orgasm were negatively associated with FSH. Associations were modest. Estradiol was not related to any measured sexual function domain. Pain with intercourse was not associated with any hormone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reproductive hormones were associated with sexual function in midlife women. T was positively associated, supporting the role of androgens in female sexual function. FSH was negatively associated, supporting the role of menopausal status in female sexual function. The modest associations in this large study suggest that the relationships are subtle and may be of limited clinical significance.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Health System (J.F.R.), Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; University of Michigan School of Public Health (J.F.R., H.Z., S.D.H.), Department of Epidemiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Wake Forest School of Medicine (N.E.A.), Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157; and Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (G.A.G.), Los Angeles, California 90095.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Randolph
authors.forename: Huiyong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Avis
authors.forename: Gail A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Greendale
authors.forename: Siobán D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Harlow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000502:physiology*; D008418:Masturbation / Q000097:blood*; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000097:blood; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone