Improvement of serum levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) with exercise training in postmenopausal women

Background and Aim: Women's sexual function decreases during menopause, which in turn reduces their quality of life. Some studies have suggested that physical activity is associated with increased serum levels of androgens and improved sexual function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of concurrent training on serum androgens levels and sexual function in postmenopausal women.Materials and Method: The study was performed quasi-experimentally. The statistical sample of this study consisted of ۳۰ postmenopausal women with an average weight of ۶۵.۱±۵.۴kg. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of concurrent training and control. The training group performed ۸ weeks of concurrent training. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and sexual function were measured ۴۸ hours before and after training. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software at a significance level of ۰.۰۵.Results: Concurrent training in the experimental group significantly increased serum testosterone levels compared to the control group (P=۰.۰۴۲). Although concurrent training increased the serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone in the experimental group, this value was not significant (P=۰.۳۹۶). Concurrent training also increased sexual function in the areas of desire (P=۰.۰۳۵), marital satisfaction (P=۰.۰۰۲), and total scores (P=۰.۰۴۷) in the concurrent training group compared to the control group.Conclusion: In general, based on our findings, it seems that concurrent training improves sexual function in postmenopausal women by increasing serum testosterone levels.