Disorders of sexual function in postmenopausal patients

Abstract

Introduction. Research in recent years has shown that sexual dysfunction is now common in post-menopausal women and that it has a significant impact on their quality of life.Aim: to identify the major causes of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women and their treatment options, by analysing different literature sources.Materials and methods. During the study of this problem, 25 sources of literature, both Russian and foreign, dating from 2007 to 2020 were analysed.Results and discussion. The main etiological aspects of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women, such as disorders of sexual desire, sexual pain disorders, orgasmic disorders are considered in this article. The role of physiological processes occurring in a woman’s organism during this age period in the formation of sexual dysfunction is presented, namely, the influence of insufficiency of sex hormones (In particular, estrogens) and genitourinary syndrome on disorders of the sexual sphere.The main methods of treatment are described, including hormone replacement therapy, the use of non-invasive laser technology, and surgical correction of the dysfunction and atrophy of the pelvic floor muscles. Particular attention is paid to the use of the synthetic steroid tibolone and flibanserin, a drug used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and the data concerning their high efficacy are presented.Conclusions. The predominant manifestation of sexual dysfunction are disorders of sexual desire and sexual pain disorders. Thus it is important to pay attention to this problem and to treat sexual dysfunction by treating its causes.Conclusion. The treatment of sexual dysfunction must address the causes. In many cases, psychotherapy is necessary. MHT has a positive effect on the sexual function of patients. Testosterone therapy is justified in this case, but is rarely used, as it has a number of side effects and contraindications. Synthetic steroids (Tibolone) have shown good results in the treatment of sexual dysfunction.