HT treatment with estrogens alone or in combination with progestogens was associated with a small to moderate improvement in sexual function , particularly in pain , when used in women with menopausal symptoms or in early postmenopause ( within five years of amenorrhoea ) , but not in unselected postmenopausal women .
The current evidence does not suggest an important effect of tibolone or of SERMs alone or combined with estrogens on sexual function .
BACKGROUND The perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods are associated with many symptoms , including sexual complaints .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of hormone therapy ( HT ) on  sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .
Raloxifene and Estrogen Effects on Quality of Life in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: A Placebo‐Controlled Randomized Trial
Objective To assess the effects of raloxifene , estrogen , and placebo on quality of life in healthy , asymptomatic , postmenopausal women . Methods In a multicenter , double-blind , 12-month study , 398 women were assigned r and omly to one of four groups : raloxifene HCl , 60 ( n = 97 ) or 150 mg/day ( n = 100 ) ; conjugated equine estrogens , 0.625 mg/day ( n = 96 ) ; or placebo ( n = 105 ) . The Women 's Health Question naire , a vali date d quality -of-life instrument for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women , was administered at baseline and 3-month intervals . Results Overall , quality of life from baseline to end point was preserved equally in all treatment groups . Six domains ( depressed mood , somatic symptoms , memory/ concentration , sexual behavior , sleep problems , and perceived attractiveness ) were unchanged in all groups . Three domains ( menstrual symptoms , vasomotor symptoms , and anxiety/fears ) were statistically significantly different among groups . Mean scores for menstrual symptoms significantly worsened and vasomotor symptoms significantly improved from baseline to end point in the estrogen group . Mean scores for vasomotor symptoms did not worsen at any point in the raloxifene 60 mg/day group . Mean anxiety/fears scores improved significantly during raloxifene 60 mg/day administration throughout treatment ( P < .05 ) , irrespective of previous hormone replacement therapy , baseline estradiol ( E2 ) levels , or years postmenopause . Conclusion Most quality -of-life domains were not affected by treatment with estrogen or raloxifene . Estrogen provided relief from vasomotor symptoms but caused menstrual symptoms . Raloxifene 60 mg/day improved anxiety levels in postmenopausal women
HT treatment with estrogens alone or in combination with progestogens was associated with a small to moderate improvement in sexual function , particularly in pain , when used in women with menopausal symptoms or in early postmenopause ( within five years of amenorrhoea ) , but not in unselected postmenopausal women .
The current evidence does not suggest an important effect of tibolone or of SERMs alone or combined with estrogens on sexual function .
BACKGROUND The perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods are associated with many symptoms , including sexual complaints .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of hormone therapy ( HT ) on  sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women .