The comparison of effects of tibolone and conjugated estrogen-medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy on sexual performance in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of two different postmenopausal regimens on sexual performance. Methods: A single blind prospective clinical study was planned on fifty natural postmenopausal women with no absolute contraindication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A total of 25 women were randomized for tibolone therapy (group T) and the rest 25 for continuous conjugated estrogen (CE) 0.625 mg plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2.5 mg (group E) for a year. Two women in group T and four women in group E were excluded from the study as they didn't attend the control visit. At baseline and after a year, sexual performance parameters (sexual desire, coital frequency, orgasm frequency, vaginal dryness/dyspareunia) and after therapy subjective well-being, vasomotor symptoms, and side effects were assessed by score method designed by us. Results: Treatment with either preparation significantly improved subjective well-being, vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness. The rates of overall side effects between two groups were not found statistically different (P = 0.84). Tibolone therapy increased sexual desire and coital frequency (P=0.001, P=0.014). Conclusions: Both tibolone and continuous combined CE/MPA effectively improve the findings of hypoestrogenism and subjective well being. Moreover, tibolone effectively increases sexual performance. It is seen that tibolone with acceptable androgenic side effects can be an appropriate selection for HRT in postmenopausal women with decreased sexual desire. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.