The effect of atorvastatin on sexual function and depressive symptoms in young women with elevated cholesterol levels - a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Statins were found to improve erectile function in men. No previous study has prospectively investigated sexual functioning in women receiving these agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of atorvastatin therapy on female sexual function, and depressive symptoms in young women with elevated cholesterol levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 14 women with elevated cholesterol levels and 14 matched women with normal plasma lipids. Hypercholesterolaemic women were then treated with atorvastatin (20-40 mg daily) for 24 weeks. Apart from measuring plasma lipids, at the beginning and at the end of the study, all participants of the study completed questionnaires evaluating sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index - FSFI) and the presence and severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition - BDI-II). RESULTS: The mean total FSFI score was insignificantly lower, while the BDI-II score was higher in women with hypercholesterolaemia than in the control group. Both groups significantly differed in domain scores for arousal and orgasm. Atorvastatin decreased the domain score for desire, increased the domain score for orgasm, but did not affect the total FSFI score and the remaining domain scores. Moreover, atorvastatin tended to reduce the BDI-II score. Treatment-induced changes in desire, orgasm, and the BDI-II did not correlate with the effect of atorvastatin on plasma lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin treatment produces a relatively mild effect on sexual functioning and mood in women, affecting only selected elements of female sexual behaviour.