Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Vulvovaginal Disease, Menopause Related Conditions, Dyspareunia (Female Excluding Psychogenic), Hypoestrogenism, Arousal Disorders, Sexual
Conditions
Keywords
testosterone, female sexual dysfunction, genital vascularization, clitoris, dyspareunia
Brief summary
The regulation of clitoral vascularization by sex steroids is still under-investigated. We aimed to explore the effects of 6 months transdermal Testosterone (T) therapy on clitoral color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) parameters in pre- and postmenopausal women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD). In order to do that, we retrospectively recruited n=81 women with FSD, divided into 4 groups according to different treatments followed as per clinical practice, for 6 months: transdermal systemic 2% T gel; local estradiol ovules; local non-hormonal moisturizers; transdermal T plus local estrogens. Our main hypothesis is that systemic T treatment is able to positively modulate clitoral blood flow in basal conditions, specifically to increase clitoral artery Peak systolic velocity (PSV).
Detailed description
Strong clinical evidence supports the use of transdermal systemic testosterone (T) treatment for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in menopausal women. According to preclinical studies, T is necessary to maintain the functional machinery underlying clitoral arousal response. In hypogonadal men with erectile dysfunction, T replacement therapy is able to improve penile vasodilation as assessed by using color Doppler ultrasound (CDU). On the other hand, the regulation of clitoral vascularization by sex steroids is still under-investigated. We aimed to explore the effects of 6 months T therapy on clitoral CDU parameters and sexual function in pre- and postmenopausal women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Adult heterosexual women attending our clinic for sexual concerns were retrospectively recruited. A subgroup of sexually active patients with FSD (n=81) was divided into 4 different groups according to different treatments followed as per clinical practice: women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) treated with off-label transdermal 2% T gel once daily (300 mcg T per day, n=23); women with dyspareunia due to moderate to severe vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), treated with local estrogens (estradiol ovules) taken daily for 2 weeks and afterwards twice a week (n=12); women with dyspareunia due to mild to moderate VVA, treated with non-hormonal moisturizers every 2-3 days (n=37); women with HSDD reporting also significant dyspareunia due to moderate to severe VVA, treated with combined therapy (transdermal T and local estrogens) (n=9). Patients underwent physical, laboratory, uterine and genital (clitoral and uterine arteries) CDU examinations, and completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). at baseline and after 6 months. Our main hypothesis is that systemic T treatment is able to positively modulate clitoral blood flow in basal conditions, specifically to increase clitoral artery Peak systolic velocity (PSV).
Interventions
DRUGTestosterone gel
Transdermal 2% T gel applied once daily to the thighs or lower abdominal/pubic area (300 mcg T per day) for 6 months
DRUGEstradiol ovules
Intravaginal estradiol ovules taken daily for 2 weeks and afterwards twice a week, for 6 months
DRUGMoisturizer
Local non-hormonal moisturizers applied regularly every 2-3 days and lubricants as needed
DRUGTestosterone gel + Estradiol ovules
Transdermal 2% T gel applied once daily to the thighs or lower abdominal/pubic area (300 mcg T per day), plus Intravaginal estradiol ovules taken daily for 2 weeks and afterwards twice a week, for 6 months
Sponsors
University of Florence
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* being heterosexual.
Exclusion criteria
* history of drug or alcohol abuse * a diagnosis of uncontrolled or unstable mental or organic disease.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes of clitoral artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) in women treated with testosterone gel | 6 months | parameter evaluated at clitoral color Doppler ultrasound |
| Changes of clitoral artery acceleration (ACC) in women treated with testosterone gel | 6 months | parameter evaluated at clitoral color Doppler ultrasound |
| Changes of clitoral artery pulsatility index (PI) in women treated with testosterone gel | 6 months | parameter evaluated at clitoral color Doppler ultrasound |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Difference in changes of clitoral artery PI among the 4 intervention groups | 6 months |
| Difference in changes of clitoral artery PSV among the 4 intervention groups | 6 months |
| Difference in changes of clitoral artery ACC among the 4 intervention groups | 6 months |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Total, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain scores, in women treated with transdermal Testosterone | 6 months | — |
| Difference in changes of - Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose and insulin levels among the 4 intervention groups | 6 months | Women were asked to have blood samples drawn in the morning, after an overnight fast |
| Changes in serum total Testosterone levels in women treated with transdermal Testosterone | 6 months | Women were asked to have blood samples drawn in the morning, after an overnight fast, during the early follicular phase (if premenopausal) |
| Changes in serum total Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels in women treated with transdermal Testosterone | 6 months | Women were asked to have blood samples drawn in the morning, after an overnight fast, during the early follicular phase (if premenopausal) |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed