Endocrine Abstracts

The aim of the study was to explore the relation of female sexual function to the concentration of estradiol (E₂), total testosterone (T), DHEA-S in the sample of Lithuanian women in postmenopause.

Methods and participants: Two hundred and forty six postmenopausal women who fulfilled inclusion criteria were asked to fill in female sexual functioning index (FSFI) and socio-demographic questionnaire. A blood sample from all participants was taken for E₂, testosterone, SHBG, DHEA-S analysis.

Results: The mean age of study participants was 55.5 (5.2) years (range 45–65 years). Week positive correlation of total testosterone (nmol/l) with desire (r=0.13, P=0.04) and arousal (r=0.12, P=0.05) was detected.

E₂ (pmol/l) positively correlated with desire (r=0.17, P=0.01), arousal (r=0.17, P=0.008), lubrication (r=0.16, P=0.01), orgasm (r=0.13, P=0.04), pain (r=0.16, P=0.02), total score of sexual function (r=0.16, P=0.01). E₂ did not influence sexual satisfaction in our sample.

DHEA-S (μmol/l) had positive effect on sexual desire (r=0.14, P=0.02), lubrication (r=0.14, P=0.03), pain (r=0.15, P=0.02) and total score of sexual function (r=0.14, P=0.03).

Risk to have sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤26.55) was lower for women with higher E₂ – odds ratio 0.99 (0.99–1.00; P<0.02), and higher DHEAs concentration – odds ratio 0.85 (0.76–0.95; P< 0.004). But these hormones were not significant predictors of sexual dysfunctions when results were adjusted for age.

Conclusion: Sex hormones concentration along with age factor are significant determinants of female sexual function in postmenopause.

We are grateful for Professor John Bancroft (The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction) for his consultations.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This work was supported, however funding details unavailable.