Sexuality and well-being in early menopause. Effect of transdermal estradiol therapy

Background. This study focus on the effect of 6 months transdermal estradio l therapy (TTS) on the sexual behaviour and the quality of life in early me nopausal women, complaining of uncomfortable menopausal symptoms. Methods. Three hundred and sixty-two postmenopausal women, aged 48-56, part icipated in this study. One hundred and seventy-one of them were given cont inuous solid matrix patch TTS 50 mug/day for 6 months. Sexual behaviour, me nopausal symptoms and well-being were evaluated through a self-rating metho d. We used a structured questionnaire with three obligatory answers (less/s ame/more) for each question-sexual life, hot flushes, touchiness, insomnia, blood pressure, work willing, memory loss, well-being-, filled in by the w omen themselves or by the medical equipe after a telephone interview. Results. Seventy five per cent of women aged 51-53 and 84% aged 54-56, who had been treated for 6 months with TTS showed a fall of sexual drive, if co mpared with, respectively, 62% and 48% of untreated subjects. Relief of hot flushes, touchiness and insomnia occurred in 80% of treated women, with sl ight differences among the various groups while 61% showed increase of well -being. Conclusions. The results of our study demonstrate that continuous TTS for 6 months decreased sexual drive in 69% of women, improved menopausal symptom s in 80% women but increased well-being only in 61% of women. These differe nces suggest that women's well-being does not seem linked only to the relie f of menopausal symptoms and the impairment of their sexual life can play a negative role.