Treatment of insomnia with hypnotics resulting in improved sexual functioning in post-menopausal women

• Published in: Psychiatria Danubina Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 353 - 357
• Main Authors: Eraslan, Defne, Ertekin, Erhan, Ertekin, Banu Aslantaş, Oztürk, Ozgür
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Croatia 01-12-2014
• Subjects: Azabicyclo Compounds - administration & dosage; Azabicyclo Compounds - pharmacology; Female; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - administration & dosage; Hypnotics and Sedatives - pharmacology; Piperazines - administration & dosage; Piperazines - pharmacology; Postmenopause - drug effects; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Sexual Behavior - drug effects; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - drug therapy; Trazodone - administration & dosage; Trazodone - pharmacology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0353-5053

This study sought to determine whether trazodone used in hypnotic doses, compared to the hypnotic agent zopiclone, had any specific positive effect on sexual function in non-depressive post-menopausal women with insomnia.
Fifty (50) subjects participated in the study. Insomnia and sexual performance were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of hypnotic treatment.
At week four, both treatments improved sleep quality to a similar degree. Sexual function also improved significantly with both treatments, with no significant difference between the groups.
In post-menopausal women, sexual problems and sleep problems may be related and solving sleep problems may help sexual functioning, independently of depression.