Hormone therapy for sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis update

Abstract

Importance: distressing sexual problems are a common complaint of menopausal women. In 2013, a Cochrane review assessed the effect of hormone therapy on sexual function in menopausal women; however, new evidence has since been published which should be considered.

Objective: this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to update the evidence synthesis on the effect of hormone therapy, compared to control, on sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Evidence Review: thirteen databases and clinical trial registries (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciéncias da Saúde, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ISRCTN) were searched from December, 2012 until March 30, 2022. Backward reference searching on all retrieved full texts was also performed. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane ROB.2 tool. Data was pooled in random effect model meta-analyses which included all studies identified in the present search as well as all studies previously included in the 2013 Cochrane review.

Findings: forty-seven randomized controlled trials (35,912 participants) were included in the systematic review, and 34 randomized controlled trials (15,079 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that in comparison to control estrogen therapy (SMD=0.16, 95%CI, 0.02 to 0.29, I2=59%, 2925 participants, 16 studies), estrogen plus progestogen therapy (SMD= 0.11, 95%CI, -0.07 to 0.29, I2=65%, 2432 participants, 7 studies), tibolone (SMD=0.15, 95%CI, 0.02 to 0.28, I2=0%, 916 participants, 2 studies), and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SMD=0.18, 95%CI, 0.06 to 0.30, I2=0%, 1058 participants, 4 studies) may result in no effect to small benefit on sexual function composite score.
Conclusion and Relevance
Hormone therapy may slightly improve sexual functioning. This potential small benefit should be considered when discussing treatment options for other menopausal symptoms.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Heather Armstrong: orcid.org/0000-0002-1071-8644

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics