Effects of Estrogen, Androgen, and Progestin on Sexual Psychophysiology and Behavior in Postmenopausal Women*

Abstract

To assess the contribution of gonadal steroids to sexual behavior in aging women, we conducted a 10-week, double-blind, hormone replacement study of 40 naturally menopausal women (mean age, 58.3 yr). Prospective measurements of basal and stimulated vaginal vasocongestion and daily self-reports of mood, physical symptoms, sexual behavior, and perceived sexual pleasure were collected. Daily treatments were either conjugated equine estrogen, i.e. Premarin (P; 0.625 mg), Premarin and medroxyprogesterone acetate, i.e. Provera (PP; 0.625 and 5 mg, respectively), Premarin and methyltestosterone (PT; 0.625 and 5 mg, respectively), or placebo (PL). Compared to placebo, hormone treatment had significantly reduced hot flashes in the P and PP groups by week 4 and in the PT group by week 5. Headaches were reduced in the P vs. PL group, only. Hormone treatment did not significantly alter mood ratings, sexual behaviors, or psychophysiologically measured sexual arousal. PT treatment significantly increased reports of pleasure from masturbation compared to the other three groups, underscoring the apparent contribution of androgens to self-stimulatory behavior. However, the data suggest that in these physically and sexually healthy women, gonadal steroids do not influence major components of sexual functioning, including arousal and a wide variety of sexual activity and experience.