Hormone replacement therapy with tibolone: effects on sexual functioning in postmenopausal women
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Christian Egarter1, AtaM Topcuoglu, Sonja Vogl
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. christian.egarter@akh-wien.ac.at
Objective:
Because hormonal changes in postmenopausal women may be accompanied by sexual problems and a worsening of various aspects of libido, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of tibolone (Liviel(R)) on sexual life.
Methods:
Postmenopausal first-time users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were included in this open, multicenter study. Patients were treated with tibolone 2.5 mg daily for at least 4 months. Both at baseline and after 4 months of treatment, patients were asked to complete two different questionnaires rating the women's subjective assessment of their sexual problems or desires.
Results:
One hundred and eighty-four women were enrolled to receive HRT with tibolone. Overall, a significant increase in women's satisfaction with their sexual lives and a significant improvement in different aspects of libido was found.
Conclusion:
Tibolone has beneficial effects on several aspects of sexual life in postmenopausal women. These effects may be due to both an increase in genital blood flow and the central estrogenic/androgenic activity.
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