Publication: Vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction in current users of systemic postmenopausal hormone therapy
Issued Date
2010-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01252208
01252208
01252208
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-77954522752
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.93, No.6 (2010), 667-675
Suggested Citation
Suchada Indhavivadhana, Pichai Leerasiri, Manee Rattanachaiyanont, Somsak Laiwejpithaya, Prasong Tanmahasamut, Kitirat Techatraisak, Surasak Angsuwathana Vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction in current users of systemic postmenopausal hormone therapy. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.93, No.6 (2010), 667-675. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/29640
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction in current users of systemic postmenopausal hormone therapy
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction in current users of systemic postmenopausal hormone therapy (pHT). Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 97 current users of pHT at Siriraj Menopause Clinic from 2005 to 2007. Subjective symptoms of vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction were assessed by interviewing. Objective signs of vaginal atrophy were assessed using pelvic examination, vaginal pH, and maturation value (MV). Results: The prevalence of vaginal atrophy in current users of systemic pHT determining from patient's symptoms, pelvic examination, vaginal pH, and MV were 44.3%, 15.5%, 21.6% and 8.8%, respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction varied from 48.7% to 71.6% depending on types of dysfunction. There was poor association between the subjective symptoms and signs, and the objective indicators of vaginal atrophy. Among various regimens of pHT, tibolone had the lowest prevalence of subjective atrophic symptoms; estrogen-only pHT had the lowest prevalence of objective atrophic signs; and raloxifene had the highest prevalence of atrophic symptoms and signs, and sexual dysfunction. There was statistically significant association between regimens of pHT and objective indicators for vaginal atrophy (p = 0.004 for pH, and 0.000 for MV). Conclusion: Current users of systemic pHT still have vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction which relates to regimens of pHT. The prevalence of vaginal atrophy varies depending on the assessment methods. The subjective method gives higher prevalence than the objective one does. Since the subjective symptoms of vaginal atrophy would have more adverse effect on quality of life than the objective signs do, the authors suggest that patients' complaints be used to assess factors affecting vaginal atrophy in further research.