Early menarche and high parity contribute to better sexual-quality of life in perimenopausal women

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONPerimenopause, that so-called menopausal transition, is defined as the period (2-8 years) preceding menopause and the one-year period after final menses, resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity.1 [The loss of ovarian follicular activity causing some biological changes including the decrease in circulating estrogen levels. Estrogen deficiency accounts for irregular menstruation, diminished vaginal lubrication, changes in the vascular, muscular, and urogenital systems, and also alterations in mood, sleep, and cognitive functioning, influencing sexual function both directly and indirectly. Among postmenopausal women both physiological and psychological changes above significantly associated with changes in sexual desire that lead to decreased sexual satisfaction.3 There are at least six types of menopausal symptoms that usually associated with the decrease in women's quality of life including vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes), sleep disturbances, psychological symptoms (depressive symptoms, anxiety, and mood disturbances) urogenital problems (urinary incontinence and vaginal atrophy), sexual function effects (dyspareunia and decreased libido), and muscular and joint problems. The prevalence of female's sexual function disorder, in fact, vary between countries because of many factors that influence. Nevertheless the prevalence of female's sexual dysfunction (FSD) increased significantly with age 5 and ABSTRACT Background: It was well known that physiological, psychological, as well as sociocultural are the factors that contribute to female sexual dysfunction. This study aimed to find out whether sexual function of women at perimenopausal age correlated with their ontogenetic factors, such as the age at menarche and parity. Methods: Women (n=80) from nine villages in district of Lampung Tengah, Lampung Province, Indonesia aged 40-50 years who meet inclusion criteria participated in the study. Predesigned questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, and the female sexual function index (FSFI) was used to score sexual function of the respondents.Results: None of the 80 respondents smoke, consumes alcohol, and has medical records. Based on the FSFI scores, except for one participant, all respondents suffered from sesual dysfunction with the average of total score 18.77. By using median score (18.52) the respondents were dichotomized into two categories, high and low sexual dysfunction. The results of Chi-square analysis and logistic regression showed that respondents with the characteristics of age at menarche <15 years and parity >4 children have better sexual-quality in comparison to those with the age at menarche >15 years and the parity <4 children. Conclusions: It can be concluded that early menarche and high parity might contributed to better sexual-quality of life in perimenopausal women.