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 .
Estrogen Improves Psychological Function in Asymptomatic Postmenopausal Women
Estrogen treatment of postmenopausal women has been suggested to improve mood and psychological function . However , this remains controversial because previous studies involved heterogeneous groups , were not double blind , and included women who were also experiencing somatic symptoms that were relieved by estrogen .  A r and omized double-blind study was carried out comparing the effects of placebo and conjugated equine estrogens ( 0.625 and 1.25 mg ) on psychological function over 3 months in 36 asymptomatic women , aged 45 - 60 . The tests included the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-168 , the Profile of Adaptation to Life , and the Beck Depression Inventory . Memory was assessed directly by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales , measuring both digit span and digit symbol . All women were well-adjusted psychologically . The income management scale of the Profile of Adaptation to Life improved ( P<.05 ) with estrogen , as did the Beck Depression Inventory ( P<.05 ) , but these results were not dose-related . Memory assessed prospect ively by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales was not affected significantly . These results suggest that estrogen use may improve the overall quality of life 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 .