Hormone therapy for sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis update

Importance: Distressing sexual problems are a common complaint of menopausal women. In 2013, a Cochrane review assessed the effect of hormone therapy on sexual function in menopausal women; however, new evidence has since been published, which should be considered.Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to update the evidence synthesis on the effect of hormone therapy, compared with control, on sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.Evidence Review: Thirteen databases and clinical trial registries (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciencias da Saude, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, , International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ISRCTN) were searched from December 2012 to March 30, 2022. Backward reference searching on all retrieved full texts was also performed. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane ROB.2 tool. Data were pooled in random-effect model meta-analyses, which included all studies identified in the present search and all studies previously included in the 2013 Cochrane review.Findings: Forty-seven randomized controlled trials (35,912 participants) were included in the systematic review, and 34 randomized controlled trials (15,079 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that, in comparison to control, estrogen therapy (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.29; I-2 = 59%; 2,925 participants, 16 studies), estrogen plus progestogen therapy (SMD, 0.11; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.29; I-2 = 65%; 2,432 participants, 7 studies), tibolone (SMD, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.28; I-2 = 0%; 916 participants, 2 studies), and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.30; I-2 = 0%; 1,058 participants, 4 studies) may result in no effect to small benefit on sexual function composite score.Conclusion and Relevance: Hormone therapy may slightly improve sexual functioning. This potential small benefit should be considered when discussing treatment options for other menopausal symptoms.

Automated summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to update the evidence on the effect of hormone therapy on sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The findings suggest that hormone therapy may have a slight positive effect on sexual functioning. This potential benefit should be taken into consideration when discussing treatment options for other menopausal symptoms.