Menopause Negatively Impacts Sexual Lives of Middle-Aged Iranian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Journal of sex & marital therapy Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 552 - 560
• Main Authors: Merghati-Khoei, Effat, Sheikhan, Fatemeh, Shamsalizadeh, Neda, Haghani, Hamid, Yousofnia Pasha, Yousof Reza, Killeen, Therese
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Routledge 02.11.2014; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Status; Hot Flashes - epidemiology; Hot Flashes - psychology; Humans; Iran - epidemiology; Menopause; Middle age; Middle Aged; Personality. Affectivity; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Quality of Life; Regression Analysis; Sexual behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - psychology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - psychology; Sexuality. Sexual behavior; Social impact; Spouses - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Womens health; Iran; Human; Cross sectional study; Menopause; Sexual behavior; Sexuality; Female; Woman
• ISSN: 0092-623X; 1521-0715
• DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2013.796577

The study aimed to explore associations between sexual function, demographic variables, health and menopausal status among middle-aged Iranian women. Participants were 200 Iranian middle-aged women (40-65 years). All women completed the Female Sexual Function Index and the Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function. Data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation statistical test, a one-way analysis of variance, an independent t test, and a linear regression analysis. Advanced age, lower education, and socioeconomic status were significantly correlated with the lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index. Lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index were associated with being retired; having a hysterectomy or oophorectomy; and presence of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, health problems, prescription drug use, and cold sweats. There were no significant associations between middle-aged women's sexual function and ethnicity, body mass index, alcohol consumption, severity of hot flashes, and hot flash frequency. Sexual desire was decreased or absent in 94.5% of the postmenopausal respondents. Our findings appear that sexual function is associated with sociodemographic characteristics of Iranian middle-aged women. Gender-sensitive counseling and medical services for aging Iranian women can improve the quality of women's sexual lives.