Androgens and sexual dysfunction in naturally and surgically menopausal women.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of surgical versus natural menopause on sexual dysfunction, and the role of androgens in that context. MATERIAL & METHODS: Sexual functioning and androgen levels were studied in 35 surgically and 83 naturally menopausal women. Sexual dysfunction was defined as a total score of less than 23 on the Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction was significantly more common in surgically than in naturally menopausal women (65.7% vs 44.6%; P = 0.036). The mean total testosterone level in women with sexual dysfunction was significantly lower than that in their counterparts (49.3 ± 21.0 vs 58.8 ± 23.6 ng/mL; P = 0.022). On the other hand, androgen levels did not differ significantly between surgically and naturally menopausal women. Androstenedione (B = 2.253; P = 0.039) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (B = 0.222; P < 0.001), and time from menopause (B = -0.064; P = 0.040) were found to be independent determinants of total testosterone levels. While the duration of menopause was significantly longer in surgically menopausal women, this co-factor was not an independent predictor of sexual dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis proved mode of menopause and total testosterone levels to be the only two independent determinants of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that while surgical menopause is detrimental to sexual functioning by itself, lower testosterone levels are predictive of sexual dysfunction, especially in naturally menopausal women.

Plasma anti-oxidant status and lipid profile in non-gravida women with a history of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the total plasma anti-oxidant status, the plasma lipid profile and the uterine artery Doppler velocity waveform in formerly pre-eclamptic women. METHODS: Thirty-two formerly pre-eclamptic, non-gravida women constituted the study group, while 28 age-matched non-gravida women who had never had pre-eclampsia served as control subjects. On days 17-19 of their menstrual cycle, fasting plasma samples were collected for total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and lipid profile evaluation, and uterine artery Doppler velocity waveform studies were performed. Results were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U-test and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in means of the uterine artery Doppler velocity waveforms and the plasma lipid levels, but body mass index values were significant (P < 0.005). The TAS value was subnormal in 72% of the formerly pre-eclamptic group and in 35% of the control group. The mean plasma TAS value was 1.20 +/- 0.05 mmol/L and was significantly lower in the study group when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study reveals significantly decreased TAS in women with a history of pre-eclampsia, which may have an important role in pathophysiology.