[Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in climacteric women. Influence of menopause and hormone replace therapy]

Few trials have studied the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and related risk factors in postmenopausal women using the DSM-IV criteria.

To evaluate the prevalence of SD in menopausal women and the impact of risk factors.

Five hundred thirty four healthy women, 40 to 64 years of age were interviewed using the Laumann test (DSM-IV).

Mean age was 52.4 +/- 5.7 years. Eighty three percent were peri or postmenopausal, 23% used hormonal substitution therapy and 79.2% were sexually active. Among sexually active women, the prevalence of SD increased along with age, from 22.2% at the 40-44 years old range to 66.0% in the 60-64 years old group. Hormone users and healthy women had a low risk for SD (Odds ratio (OR): 0.1 IC: 0.0-0.1 and OR: 0.6 IC: 0.3-0.9, respectively). The risk increased in menopausal women (OR: 3.3 IC: 1.6-6.9), those older than 49 years (OR: 3.4 IC: 1.8-6.4), those subjected to hysterectomy (OR: 3.7 IC: 1.3-10.6) or those with an impotent sexual partner (OR: 3.2 IC: 1.2-8.6).

There is a high prevalence of SD among climacteric women. Estrogens, either endogenous or exogenous, have a positive influence on sexuality.