Factors Associated with Sexual Function in Menopausal Women
Date Issued
2016
Date
2016
Author(s)
Yang, Cheng-Fang
Abstract
【Background】 Decreases in sexual function and sexual activity occur during and after menopause. These decreases can impact quality of life and relationship intimacy. Few studies have explored the differences in sexual function among women experiencing the different stages of menopause in Taiwan. Furthermore, most analyses have explored only women’s concerns regarding the effects of menopause on sexual function. Understanding sexual partners’ concerns about menopause may enable us to gain a broader understanding of its effects on sexual function in women. 【Purposes】 The purposes of this study were to examine the differences in sexual function among women experiencing the different stages of menopause; to explore the distribution in demographic characteristics, menopause symptoms, urinary incontinence symptoms, overactive bladder symptoms, and sexual relationships with partners among women experiencing the different stages of menopause; and to identify the factors influencing sexual function in woman experiencing premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause. 【Methods】 This study employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted at the outpatient clinics of the obstetrics / gynecology and family medicine departments at a medical center and 5-year junior college in northern Taiwan. A convenient sample was recruited for this study. Data collected with structured questionnaire and were from women with menopause or college students who pass on an invitation to parents. If women agreed to participate, their heterosexual partners were also invited to fill out questionnaires. When participants had completed the study, they sent the questionnaires back to the researchers using a stamped envelope. Overall, 1926 participants were recruited (963 menopausal women and 963 heterosexual partners). Participants completed the Female Sexual Functioning Scale (FSFI), the Greene Climacteric Scale, the Urinary Incontinence Scale (ICIQ-UI SF), the Overactive Bladder Scale (ICIQ-OAB), and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Data were encoded and statistically analyzed using SPSS / PC 20.0. Statistical analyses included percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, Independent t-test, Paired t-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test or one-way ANOVA and Multiple Linear Regression. 【Results】 The most severe menopause symptom noted by premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women was loss of sexual desire. There was no difference at different stages of menopause related to urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. Compared with their heterosexual partners, menopausal women showed lower scores（3.73 ± 0.80）on the relationship with partners（3.82 ± 0.76）（p < 0.001）. Premenopausal women exhibited higher total sexual function score（24.11 ± 7.44） and sexual desire / intercourse scores （16.61 ± 5.65）and lower dyspareunia scores（4.47 ± 1.67）than perimenopausal women, who exhibited higher sexual function （21.92 ± 8.31）and sexual desire / intercourse scores （15.00 ± 6.44）and lower dyspareunia scores（3.97 ± 1.87） than postmenopausal women（18.71 ± 8.97, 12.50 ± 6.97, 3.37 ± 2.05, respectively）. Premenopausal women exhibited higher mean sexual satisfaction scores（3.03 ± 0.81）than postmenopausal women（2.85 ± 0.91）. After controlling the demographic characteristics in menopausal women and their heterosexual partners, premenopausal women identified other type of urinary incontinence（β = -0.08, p = 0.043） and relationships with partners（β = 0.32, p < 0.001） as the factors influencing sexual function, while their sexual partners identified relationships with partners （β = 0.21, p < 0.001）as the factor influencing sexual function. Perimenopausal women identified relationships with partners（β = 0.43, p < 0.001）as the factor influencing sexual function. Postmenopausal women identified relationships with partners （β = 0.23, p= 0.001）as the factor influencing sexual function, as did their heterosexual partners（β = 0.29, p < 0.001）. 【Conclusion and Suggestions】 The most important factor influencing sexual function is the relationship with partners and relationship with heterosexual partners among premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Premonpausal women having other type of urinary incontinence is another factor influencing sexual function. This study suggests focusing on aspects of sexual desire / sexual intercourse, sexual satisfaction, and pain during intercourse in order to explore the relationships with partners and urinary incontinence as the factors influencing sexual function. In addition, it may consider body image and depression to understand sexual function and influencing factors in women experiencing the different stages of menopause. Also, studies using a longitudinal design are needed to explore the changes of sexual function over the premenopausal stage.
Subjects
menopause
climacteric
sexual function
partner
relationship
Type
thesis
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