The relative effects of hormones and relationship factors on sexual function of women through the natural menopausal transition.

Dennerstein, Lorraine Burger, Henry Lehert, Philippe [FUCAM]

(eng) Prospective population-based questionnaire study. 438 Australian-born women aged 45–55 years who were still menstruating at baseline. Eight years of longitudinal data were available for 336 of these women, none of whom were hysterectomized. Sexual response was predicted by prior level of sexual function, change in partner status, feelings for partner, and E2 level (R2 = .65); dyspareunia was predicted by prior level of dyspareunia and E2 level (R2 = .53); and frequency of sexual activities was predicted by prior level of sexual function, change in partner status, feelings for partner, and level of sexual response (R2 = .52). The minimum effective dose needed to increase sexual response by 10% (700 pmol/L E2) is twice that needed to decrease dyspareunia. Prior function and relationship factors are more important than hormonal determinants of sexual function of women in midlife.

(fre) 438 femmes Australiennnes 45-55 ans furent suivies sur Huit ans de données longitudinales. La sensitivité sexuelle a été montrée comme dépeendant du niveau antérieur de la fonction sexuelle, le changement du statut d'associé, les sentiments pour le partenaire actuel(R2 = 65) ; la dyspareunie est aussi tres autocorrélée et la fréquence des activités tres influencée par sa valeur antérieure, et le changement du statut de partenaire les sentiments (R2 = 52). La dose minimum efficace d'estradiol requise pour augmenter la réponse sexuelle de 10% (700 pmol/L E2) est deux fois celle nécessaire pour diminuer le dyspareunia. Les facteurs antérieurs de fonction et de rapport sont plus importants que des causes de variation endocrines.