Sexual Behavior, Steroids & Hot Flashes Are Associated During The Perimenopause

In the course of a longitudinal study of the menopause prospective data on hot flash incidence and sexual behavior were collected as well as plasma for subsequent steroidal assays.

1. Estradiol but not testosterone level were significantly associated with regular weekly sexual behavior and decreased levels of estradiol but not testosterone were associated with sporadic (less than weekly )sexual activity.

2. Estradiol but not testosterone levels were significantly inversely correlated with hot flashes.

3. Women who recorded regular sexual activity had significantly lower hot flash ratings than women who recorded sporadic sexual activity.