Dr. Hugh Taylor of Yale School of Medicine and his team have discovered that in lieu of long-term estrogen
replacement therapy, a short-term alternative is the estrogen patch for women suffering with Menopausal symptoms
of sexual function.
Early menopausal problems may also include fading libido and sex-drive or function says Dr. Taylor ‘s study
published in JAMA Internal Medicine Aug. 2017; it showed that the patch can improve both.
Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City says that often these symptoms
often go unreported out of fear and/or embarrassment. She states that many women believe decline in desire,
arousal, lubrication and orgasm are just a normal part of aging and they have to live with it. They often fear that these
changes may change or damage their relationships.
In his 4-year study, Dr. Taylor’s team observed sexual function in 670 women ages 42-68 who had begun
menopause in the past 3 years. They were treated with either the patch or the pill, or a placebo. They were also given
questionnaires dealing with pain, lubrication, desire and satisfaction (orgasm). Low scores indicated low sexual
function.
Finding showed that the estrogen patch therapy yielded improved sexual function compared to the placebo group.
The patch results were much better than those receiving the estrogen pill, whose benefit was only similar to the
placebo group; particularly with dryness and pain during sex.
The researchers said their findings were only for a singular set of white women with more education than the general
population, and therefore limited. Dr. Taylor noted that this supplement is not necessarily for everyone and that
estrogen therapy should be tailored to fit the needs of the individual patient. Some therapies might be better for one
and not the other. Different symptoms require different forms of medication and delivery methods.
Previous studies for estrogen therapy indicated that replacement hormones may have negative side effects and risks.
Some studies show increased risk factors for stroke or breast cancer with long term utilization. However, Dr. Taylor
feels that those risk are greatly moderated with short-term use of the patch within the first few years of onset of
menopause.
In addition, Dr. Wu said that this is another choice for menopausal women and is more information when considering
pros and cons of estrogen therapy.
