Prevalence of symptoms in relation to androgen concentrations in women using estrogen plus progestogen and women using estrogen alone

• Objective: Women using estrogen plus progestogen therapy sometimes report difficult to describe symptoms, eg, changes in libido, mood, and memory, that may be related to decreased androgens. To evaluate the prevalence or such symptoms and relate these symptoms to androgen levels ill women using estrogen plus progestogen therapy, data from the Womens Health in the Lund Area Study were analyzed.Design: A total of 2,816 women using estrogen plus progestogen therapy were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of questions concerning sexual well-being and different aspects of quality of life. Serum concentrations of testosterone, androstendione, sex lion-none-binding globulin, and estradiol were measured.Results: A total of 2,048 questionnaires were eligible for evaluation. Almost 40% of the women reported decreased libido. Approximately 70% were satisfied with their current sex life. Eight percent reported that intercourse was unpleasant because of vaginal dryness. No evident associations were found between libido and serum hormone concentrations. The most positive effects of estrogen plus progestogen therapy concerning memory and urinary tract and vaginal complaints were found in women with the highest and/or moderate testosterone levels (P < 0.05).Conclusions: We found no strong association between symptoms related to sexual well-being or quality of life and androgen concentrations in this study. Estrogen plus progestogen therapy did not seem to affect

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Menopause

Testosterone

Androgens

Hormone therapy

Estrogen therapy

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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