Adapting healthy life style program is more effective than atorvastatin in improving sexual function in hypercholestrolemic females: A pilot prospective study

Abstract

Objectives

We aimed in our study to evaluate the impact of atorvastatin therapy against adapting healthy life style program on sexual function in young women with high cholesterol levels.

Study design

Sixty hypercholestrolemic female participants were divided into two equal groups, group (A) received atorvastatin (20–40 mg/d for 6 months) and group (B) underwent life style modification only.

Main outcome measures

The international index of female sexual function index score, lipid profile, systolic blood pressure.

Results

There was no statistical difference in baseline sexual function between patients in groups (A) and (B). Interestingly, patients in group (B) who adapted healthy life style program for 6 months had demonstrated significant improvement in all domains of female sexual function index (FSFI) (total score, sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, satisfaction) compared to patients in group (B) who received atorvastatin for 6 months (32.71 ± 3.0, 30.56 ± 3.1, P = 0.008; 5.58 ± 0.41, 4.87 ± 0.51, P < 0.001; 5.56 ± 0.43, 4.94 ± 0.43, P < 0.001; 5.38 ± 0.5, 5.12 ± 0.33, P = 0.02; 5.40 ± 0.48, 5.13 ± 0.43, P = 0.02, respectively). In contrast, women who received atorvastatin for 6 months had demonstrated significant reduction in pain sensation compared to those who adapted healthy life style (5.02 ± 0.34, 5.31 ± 0.41, P = 0.004). Moreover, both groups had shown non-significant improvement in orgasm domain compared to base line (5.47 ± 0.52, 5.48 ± 0.45, P = 0.936).

Conclusion

Although, atorvastatin was associated with significant reduction in pain sensation during intercourse and non-significant improvement in orgasm domain, yet, adapting healthy life style program can be more effective on improving sexual function especially in young healthy females.