Quality of life and sexuality changes in postmenopausal women receiving tibolone therapy

Abstract

Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tibolone on the sexuality and quality of life of Taiwanese postmenopausal women.MethodsForty-eight postmenopausal women were enrolled and prospectively randomized to receive either HRT or tibolone for 3 months. At the end of the 3-month period, quality of life measures were assessed usingthe Greene Climacteric Scale and attitudes of sexuality were evaluated using the McCoy Sex Scale.Results Based on subjective qualitative scores, tibolone treatment was at least as effectiveas continuous combined HRT in improving quality of life. It also effectively prevented withdrawal bleeding, which may occur during HRT use. Compared with continuous combined HRT, tibolone treatment wasalso associated with perceived improvement of sexual performance, including general sexual satisfaction, sexual interest, sexual fantasies, sexual arousal and orgasm, with decreased frequencies of vaginaldryness and painful intercourse.Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that both tibolone and continuous combined HRT have positive effects on the quality of life of Taiwanese postmenopausalwomen. Sexuality is affected more by tibolone than by HRT.