Endocrine Aspects of Women's Sexual Function
Margaret E. Wierman MD,
Rossella E. Nappi MD, PhD,
Nancy Avis PhD,
Susan R Davis MD, PhD,
Ferdinand Labrie MD, PhD,
Willam Rosner MD, Jan L. Shifren MD,
Corresponding Author
Margaret E. Wierman MD
University of Colorado at Denver, Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Aurora, and Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrinology, Denver, CO, USA;
Margaret Wierman, UCDHSC/VAMC, Medicine, 111H Endocrinology, VAMC 1055 Clermont St, Denver, CO 80220, USA. Tel: 303-399-8020; Fax: 303-393-5271; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorRossella E. Nappi MD, PhD
Research Center for Reproductive Medicine University of Pavia, Obstetric and Gynecology and IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation, Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Pavia, Italy;
Search for more papers by this authorNancy Avis PhD
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences Social Sciences and Health Policy, Winston-Salem, NC, USA;
Search for more papers by this authorSusan R Davis MD, PhD
Monash University, The Women's Health Program, Medicine, Prahran Victoria, Australia;
Search for more papers by this authorFerdinand Labrie MD, PhD
Laval University, Molecular Endocrinology, Oncology and Genomics Research Center and Laval University Hospital Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada;
Search for more papers by this authorJan L. Shifren MD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Menopause Program, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Harvard Medical School, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Boston, MA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMargaret E. Wierman MD,
Rossella E. Nappi MD, PhD,
Nancy Avis PhD,
Susan R Davis MD, PhD,
Ferdinand Labrie MD, PhD,
Willam Rosner MD, Jan L. Shifren MD,
Corresponding Author
Margaret E. Wierman MD
University of Colorado at Denver, Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Aurora, and Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Endocrinology, Denver, CO, USA;
Margaret Wierman, UCDHSC/VAMC, Medicine, 111H Endocrinology, VAMC 1055 Clermont St, Denver, CO 80220, USA. Tel: 303-399-8020; Fax: 303-393-5271; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorRossella E. Nappi MD, PhD
Research Center for Reproductive Medicine University of Pavia, Obstetric and Gynecology and IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation, Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Pavia, Italy;
Search for more papers by this authorNancy Avis PhD
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences Social Sciences and Health Policy, Winston-Salem, NC, USA;
Search for more papers by this authorSusan R Davis MD, PhD
Monash University, The Women's Health Program, Medicine, Prahran Victoria, Australia;
Search for more papers by this authorFerdinand Labrie MD, PhD
Laval University, Molecular Endocrinology, Oncology and Genomics Research Center and Laval University Hospital Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada;
Search for more papers by this authorJan L. Shifren MD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Menopause Program, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Harvard Medical School, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Boston, MA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorABSTRACT
Introduction. Endocrine changes during aging as well as endocrine disorders may either directly or indirectly modulate female sexual function by altering sex hormones, or by impacting on vascular, neurogenic, or psychologic factors.
Aim. To review information on the impact of the hormonal changes associated with aging or those caused by endocrine disorders on female sexual function and current information on the risks and benefits of hormonal treatments.
Methods. Committee members outlined topics and reviewed the published literature on endocrine aspects of female sexual function over a 2-year period. Presentation of the recommendations were presented at the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine Paris, France 2009 and revised accordingly.
Main Outcome Measures. Quality of data published in the literature and recommendations were based on the GRADES system.
Results. Recommendations and guidelines concerning the role of sex hormones and endocrine disorders in female sexual function were derived.
Conclusions. Hormones are only one component of the many factors that contribute to normal sexual function in women. Further research is needed as to the impact of hormones and endocrine disorders on female sexual dysfunction and the benefits and risks of hormonal therapies. Wierman ME, Nappi RE, Avis N, Davis SR, Labrie F, Rosner W, and Shifren JL. Endocrine aspects of women's sexual function. J Sex Med 2010;7:561–585.
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