[Interactive relations between sexual behavior and post-menopausal replacement hormone therapy: a survey].

A study carried out in 1988 using a representative sample of the French male and female population aged between 52 and 70 provides information concerning one of the presumed motivations for the use of replacement hormone therapy: to "always be a woman". In 1988 the sexual activity of French couples decreased on average after the age of 50 or thereabouts in a proportion identical to that seen in 1970. The chief limiting factor is reduced libido in women, far more than simple dyspareunia or relative male impotence. The majority of women interviewed did not wish to react against this fall in sexual activity, had abandoned "seductive" behaviour, would not use treatment which would increase sexual appetite even if it were ideally active and free of side-effects and did not consider that the menopause had any influence whatsoever on their behaviour. Eighty per cent of women had never sought to use replacement hormone therapy. A minority, 17 p. cent of those interviewed, had used postmenopausal hormone therapy for a time at least. This sub-group had a far higher level of sexual activity, attached greater importance to their personal appearance, took more physical exercise and controlled their weight better. The group was also more educated and better informed regarding the possible consequences of the menopause. Differences in life style and dietary behaviour between spontaneous non-users and users of hormone replacement therapy could falsify the interpretation of a non-randomised epidemiological study.