Sexual function scores are associated with arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women

Author:

Armeni Anastasia1,Armeni Eleni23,Augoulea Areti2,Delialis Dimitrios4,Angelidakis Lasthenis4,Papaioannou Maria4,Kaparos George5,Alexandrou Andreas2,Georgopoulos Neoklis1,Vlahos Nicolaos2,Stamatelopoulos Kimon4,Lambrinoudaki Irene2ORCID

Affiliation:

1. University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, , GR-26504 Patras, Greece

2. University of Athens Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieio Hospital, , GR-11528 Athens, Greece

3. UCL Medical School Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, , London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom

4. Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens Laboratory of Vascular Pathophysiology, Department of Therapeutics, , GR-11528 Athens, Greece

5. University of Athens Biochemical Laboratory, Aretaieio Hospital, , GR-11528 Athens, Greece

Abstract

Abstract Background Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has been suggested to be correlated with the burden of cardiovascular risk factors. Aim We aimed to evaluate the possible association between functional indices of vascular function and FSD scores in apparently healthy postmenopausal women. Methods This cross-sectional study included 116 postmenopausal women who underwent assessment of endothelial function with measurement of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the branchial artery and arterial stiffness estimation with measurement of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). We used the Greene Climacteric Scale to evaluate vasomotor symptomatology, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to evaluate FSD and the Beck Depression Inventory to evaluate mood disorder. Low sexual function was defined as an FSFI score <26.55. Outcomes These included FSFI and low sexual function scores as well as measures of PWV and FMD. Results Sexual function scores were associated with measures of blood pressure (normal vs low sexual function; systolic blood pressure: 120.2 ± 15.0 mm Hg vs 113.4 ± 14.6 mm Hg; analysis of covariance P = .026; diastolic blood pressure: 75.9 ± 10.5 mm Hg vs 70.3 ± 9.9 mm Hg; analysis of covariance P = .012; both adjusted for age, body mass index, current smoking, and PWV). Systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, was associated with FSFI (B = 0.249, P = .041) and PWV (B = 0.392, P < .001). PWV measures were associated with FSFI (B = −0.291, P = .047) and pulse pressure (B = 0.355, P = .017). FMD measures were also associated with FSFI (B = 0.427, P = .033). All models were adjusted for age, body mass index, current smoking, insulin resistance, vasomotor symptomatology, and Beck Depression Inventory. Clinical implications Our findings demonstrate that lower scores of sexual function are associated with deteriorated vascular function mainly manifested as arterial stiffening, further contributing to systolic blood pressure changes. Strengths and limitations The strength of this study is the carefully selected healthy sample of postmenopausal women, with simultaneous assessment of climacteric symptomatology and mood disorders. The limitations include the small sample size, the cross-sectional design, and the recruitment of consecutive outpatients of a university menopause clinic. Conclusion Longitudinal studies and interventions to improve FSD should further assess the clinical relevance of these findings.

Funder

Greece and the European Union

Human Resources Development, Education and Life-long Learning

Reinforcement of Postdoctoral Researchers–Second Cycle

State Scholarships Foundation

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Urology,Reproductive Medicine,Endocrinology,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism,Psychiatry and Mental health

Cited by 1 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. Associations between arterial health and sexual function in women aged 60–64 years;Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica;2024-03-14

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