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NEUROLOGY
& FEMALE UROLOGY
doi: 10.1590/S1677-553820100002000028
Regular
moderate intake of red wine is linked to a better women’s sexual
health
Mondaini N, Cai T, Gontero P, Gavazzi A, Lombardi G, Boddi V, Bartoletti
R
Urology Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, University of Florence,
Via Dell’Antella, 50011 Antella, Florence, Italy
J Sex Med. 2009; 6: 2772-7
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Introduction:
While some evidence does exist for a positive correlation between
moderate wine intake and men’s sexual health, there is no study
addressing the potential correlation between red wine intake and women’s
sexual function.
Aim: The aim of our study was to assess whether there is a tie between
daily red wine intake and sexual function in a sample of healthy Italian
women, living in the Chianti area (Tuscany) not complaining of any
sexual disorders.
Methods: We recruited 798 women (age 18-50), living in the Chianti
area (Tuscany), not complaining of any sexual disorders. We divided
the participants into three groups: daily moderate (one to two glasses)
red wine intake (group 1); teetotallers (group 2); and daily intake
of more than two glasses of red wine and/or other types of alcoholic
drinks (including white wine), as well as of those reporting occasional
drinking (group 3).
Main outcome measures: All participants completed anonymously the
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and were asked to
report on their amount and type of alcohol consumption.
Results: Group 1 had significantly higher total (P = 0.001), as well
as desire and lubrication domain (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively)
FSFI scores than participants in groups 2 and 3. No significant differences
between the groups were observed concerning sexual arousal, satisfaction,
pain, and orgasm. Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation
between age, alcohol consumption (P = 0.009), and a better score at
questionnaire examination. During multivariate analysis, alcohol consumption
was identified as an independent prognostic parameter (P = 0.002)
in predicting the better score at questionnaire examination.
Conclusions: The finding that regular moderate intake of red wine
is associated with higher FSFI scores for both sexual desire, lubrication,
and overall sexual function as compared to the teetotaller status
is intriguing. While this finding needs to be interpreted with some
caution, because of the small sample size, self-reported data, and
the lack of support from laboratory exams, it nevertheless suggests
a potential relationship between red wine consumption and better sexuality.
- Editorial
Comment
A fascinating paper that examines the effect of wine on women’s
sexual health. The authors reviewed a population of females that was
subdivided into three groups with the first group being women who
drank 1-2 glasses of wine daily; the second group that did not intake
alcohol; and the third group being occasional drinkers, reporting
less than 1 glass per day. Women who drank more than 2 glasses of
red wine or 2 glasses or more of other types of alcoholic drinks including
white wine were excluded from the study. The authors limited their
population to women who were very sexually normal based on responding
affirmative to “are you happy with your sexuality?” and
responding no to the question “have you ever had a sexual problem?”.
Any woman who was pregnant, lactating, used supplemental hormones
as well as had any kind of previous genitourinary surgery or substance
abuse were excluded from the study. The primary metric of the assessment
was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The authors found that
the moderate alcohol drinkers of red wine (2 glasses a day) had an
overall higher score on the FSFI as well as increased responses in
the desire and lubrication domain. There was no difference between
the groups with regards to arousal, satisfaction, pain or orgasm.
Though the authors freely admit that their data is mildly handicapped
secondary to the low study numbers and the use of self-reported data
they present a wonderful discussion on the potential pathways of efficacy
that moderate wine intake may have on female sexual health. The discussion
alone makes reading this paper worthwhile in view of the ideas presented.
As with many excellent reports, this study engenders much scientific
thought after the content has been appropriately digested.
Dr.
Steven P. Petrou
Professor of Urology, Associate Dean
Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
E-mail: petrou.steven@mayo.edu
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