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Women
may experience a dramatic loss of sexual function as a result
of menopause, according to researchers at the University of
Melbourne in Australia.
The findings
are part of the University's Women's Midlife Health Project,
conducted by the University's Office for Gender and Health
that has been tracking a large group of women for over a decade.
"This
is the first study worldwide to follow a population-based
group of women for more than ten years and record symptoms
of menopause as well as . . .one of the few to have a validated
sexuality questionnaire," said Lorraine Dennerstein,
professor and lead researcher. "This allows us to measure
changes in women's sexual function and associate it with changes
in hormone levels,"
Researchers
discovered that women going through menopause experienced
a decline in sexual interest, a decrease in arousal and in
the frequency of sexual activity, and an increase in vaginal
dryness and pain during intercourse, according to the study
published in the journal Fertility Sterility. The changes
were primarily associated with a drop in the level of the
hormone estradiol, produced by the ovary.
Dennerstein
reports that use of hormone replacement therapy protects against
the decline of sexual functioning in menopausal women. Also,
relationship factors have an effect and have the capability
of overpowering the hormonal changes, according to the study.
"Factors
like a woman's level of sexual responsiveness before menopause,
changes in partner status (for example gaining or losing a
partner), and a woman's feelings for her partner can override
hormonal effects. Hormonal effects are most likely to be noted
by women in long-term, stable relationships," said Dennerstein.
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of May 26, 2002
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