Hyperglycemia in postmenopausal women screened for the metabolic syndrome is associated to increased sexual complaints

Abstract

Background. Postmenopausal metabolic changes increase cardiovascular risk and impair quality of life (QoL). Despite this, few reports have addressed the association of these changes with female sexuality.

Objective. To determine the association between the metabolic syndrome (METS), and its components, and female sexuality.

Methods. Data of sexually active postmenopausal women who participated in a METS screening program who filled out the menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL) were assessed. Specifically the sexual domain of the MENQOL was analyzed in regard to mean total and item scores (decreased libido, vaginal dryness, and sexual avoidance). Criteria of the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) were used to identify women with the METS.

Results. Two hundred six women fulfilled inclusion criteria. Mean age of participants was 54 ± 6.9 years (median: 54 years). Prevalence of the METS in this sexually active postmenopausal series was 39.8%. About 52.9% of them presented abdominal obesity, 35.4% hypertension, 55.8% high triglycerides, 17.5% hyperglycemia, and 59.7% decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Women with the METS as compared with those without the syndrome displayed no significant differences in MENQOL sexual scorings (total or of its composing items). Equally there were also no score differences among those presenting any of the five components of the METS, except women with hyperglycemia who significantly displayed a higher total sexual domain score (5.6 ± 2.1 vs. 4.8 ± 2.3, p < 0.05) in association to a higher mean score in the decreased libido item (6.0 ± 2.3 vs. 4.8 ± 2.6, p < 0.01). After controlling for several confounding factors, logistic regression confirmed that women with hyperglycemia were significantly at higher risk for presenting decreased libido (higher item score, OR 2.4, CI 95%: 1.0–5.7, p < 0.05) and more impaired sexuality (higher total MENQOL sexual domain score: OR, 2.5, CI 95%: 1.1–5.4, p < 0.05).

Conclusion. Despite the limitations of this study, as assessed with the MENQOL, hyperglycemia in postmenopausal women screened for the METS was associated to a negative impact in sexuality. More research is warranted in this regard.

Keywords:

• Menopause
• sexual complaints
• quality of life
• metabolic syndrome
• hyperglycemia

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Research and Development System of the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador through grant No. 2003-10-83 and partially supported by the B/017543/08 AECID (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo) grant from the Spanish ‘Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación’ to the University of Zaragoza, Spain.