Although the types of sexual concerns vary in frequency, women aged 65 and older have a similar number of sexual concerns as younger women. Older women want physicians to inquire about their sexual health. This discussion should include inquiries about their partner's sexual functioning. To overcome age as a barrier to this discussion, younger physicians should be particularly attentive to initiating the topic of sexual health.
Information is limited regarding sexual concerns and sexual health care needs of women who have experienced abuse. This study compares sexual concerns as well as interest and experience in discussing these concerns with physicians for women with and without a history of abuse. Nearly all women reporting abuse had sexual concerns and, specifically, a significantly higher intensity of decreased sexual interest than women not experiencing abuse. Women reporting abuse see physicians as a resource for their sexual health needs. Although they were more likely to raise the topic than women not reporting abuse, they clearly prefer that physicians initiate the topic.
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