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Sexual function of women taking antihypertensive agents: a comparative study
R H Hodge1, M P Harward, M S West
1University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville.
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|July 1, 1991
Summary
This pilot study developed a method to assess antihypertensive drug effects on sexual function in women. While no significant differences were found, clonidine and prazosin may subtly impact desire and arousal.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Women's Health
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Hypertension affects a significant portion of the female population.
- Antihypertensive medications, such as clonidine and prazosin, are commonly prescribed.
- The impact of these drugs on female sexual function is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for evaluating the effects of clonidine and prazosin on sexual function in women with hypertension.
- To assess changes in sexual arousal, desire, and orgasmic function during treatment with these antihypertensive agents.
Main Methods:
- A crossover, active-drug controlled pilot study design was employed.
- Participants included premenopausal and postmenopausal women with mild hypertension.
- Self-administered daily diaries were used to collect data on sexual function over placebo, clonidine, and prazosin treatment periods.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in overall sexual function levels were observed between placebo, clonidine, and prazosin.
- However, trends suggested potential impacts: fewer women were receptive to partner approach and WISH (wished for partner approach) during medication therapy compared to placebo.
- Orgasmic strength showed a slight increase with clonidine when administered as the second medication.
Conclusions:
- Self-administered daily diaries provide a viable method for evaluating antihypertensive effects on female sexual function.
- Further investigation in larger cohorts is warranted to confirm the potential subtle effects of clonidine and prazosin on sexual function in hypertensive women.