Purpose: To evaluate female sexual dysfunction in hypertensive postmenopausal women and the effects of antihypertensive therapy.
Materials and methods: Female sexual dysfunction was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in three groups of postmenopausal patients: normotensive women (group A: 240 women), hypertensive women without therapy (group B: 220 women), hypertensive women on therapy (group C: 80 women).
Results: The incidence of female sexual dysfunction was increased in group B compared to groups A and C. Healthy patients showed higher FSFI scores compared to hypertensive patients (groups B and C). Hypertensive-treated patients accounted for higher scores in all items compared to hypertensive patients without therapy.
Conclusions: Essential hypertension significantly affects female sexual function. Physicians should recognize and properly manage FSD in hypertensive women.