Interferential current: a new option for the treatment of sexual complaints in women with premature ovarian insufficiency using systemic hormone therapy: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of interferential current (IC) in the sexual function of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) using systemic hormone therapy (HT), compared to topical estriol. A randomized clinical trial with 40 women with POI using systemic HT, who were sexually active and referred for dyspareunia and reduction of lubrication. The women were divided into two treatment groups for 4 weeks: IC group (eight electrotherapy sessions twice a week); or E group (estriol vaginal cream, daily application, 0.5 mg/d). The Female Sexual Function Index was used to evaluate pre-/posttreatment sexual function. Mean age was 37.13 ± 7.27 years and mean treatment time with HT was 8.20 ± 8.73 years, similar data for both groups. There was an improvement in global sexual function, lubrication, and pain domains for both treatments. The differences between the pre-/posttreatment lubrication scores were respectively 0.75 ± 3.31 (P = 0.014) for IC and 1.16 ± 1.22 (P < 0.001) for estriol, whereas for dyspareunia the differences were 1.00 ± 1.47 (P = 0.005) for IC, and 0.68 ± 1.30 (P = 0.006) for estriol. There was no pre-/posttreatment difference for the desire and arousal domains. Only in the IC group did orgasm (difference 0.90 ± 1.42, P = 0.010) and satisfaction improve (difference 0.70 ± 1.28, P = 0.021). The use of perineal IC seems to be a new option for women with POI using systemic HT and presenting with sexual complaints, leading to an improvement in pain, lubrication, satisfaction, and orgasm.