Comparative study of coitus and non - coitus in the treatment of menopausal symptoms

Abstract

Eighty-five consecutive female patients aged 50 - 55 years with amenorrhea of six consecutive months at least, sudden onset of sweating and/or feeling hot (hot flushes) that occurred day or night associated with at least one other menopausal symptom such as insomnia, painful coitus were randomized into two groups to evaluate the effect of sexual activity in the treatment of hot flushes of menopause. They were referred from Jericho Nursing Home, Ibadan. Only 76 patients completed the study and this was the number analyzed. The study, which lasted two years took place at the Epidemiological Clinic of the same hospital. Each patient was followed up for six months. The first group of 43 females received instructions to have coitus at least once weekly throughout the study period with their spouse while a group of 42 females were instructed not to have coitus. There was informed consent from each patient. Both treatment and control groups had similar socio biological characteristics. The patients in both groups recorded occurrence of hot flushes daily in the health diary given to them. The result showed that the total number of hot flushes experienced by the treatment and control groups was 41440 and 141125 respectively giving an average per week of 37 (22.70%) and 140 (77.30%) hot Hushes respectively. The result was analyzed by Fisher's Exact Test in view of small number of subject involved. There is a statistically significant difference between the treatment group (coitus) and control group (no-coitus) P<0.05