The effect of estrogen therapy on sexuality. Observations on 122 postmenopausal women
Wenderlein, J.M.
Münchener Medizinische Wochenschrift 123(15): 609-610
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-3098 PMID: 6262638 Document Number: 393907
The study was done on 122 postmenopausal women who wanted estrogen therapy because of various climacteric disturbances. The women were up to 60 years old; they were questioned about sexual activity 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after onset of estrogen therapy. This is just a pilot study which needs to be supplemented with more data later, but the conclusions are interesting. Sexual interest continually increased. A constant 25% expressed lack of sexual satisfaction, but the remainder manifested a slight increase in satisfaction. Pain during coitus was twice as frequent (17%) before use of estrogen therapy as afterwards (9%). There was little impact on ability to achieve orgasm. Uterine secretion was twice as high prior to therapy as after 6 months of therapy. And complaints of vulvovaginal dryness were expressed twice as often prior to therapy as afterwards. The results show that the sexual impact of postmenopausal estrogen therapy should be neither overestimated or underestimated.