Overweight, obesity and female sexuality in perimenopause: a preliminary report

Abstract

IntroductionThe research was conducted among patients of the Department of Perinatology and Gynaecology of the Poznań University of Medical Sciences. Its aim was to investigate the influence of overweight and obesity on female sexuality during the perimenopausal period. Preliminary results of the research are presented in the thesis, which was as a matter of fact intended as a preliminary report. The examination of sexual functions of the patients was performed with the use of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) form.Material and methodsSixty-one women during the perimenopausal period filled out the survey, with the average age of these women being 51 years. Forty-two of the examined women had an appropriate body mass index (BMI), i.e. between 18.5 and 25, while for 19 of the women, the BMI was above normal. For statistical analysis and in order to assess the differences between the two above-mentioned groups of patients, the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was applied. A statistically significant value was assumed at p < 0.05. The results of the conducted research indicated no such difference between the women with differing BMI for the specific domains of the FSFI test.ResultsThe results obtained show that research in the area needs to be continued.ConclusionsAll the hitherto existing scientific studies also seem to indicate that the influence of overweight and obesity on female sexuality during the perimenopause has not yet been unambiguously proven. Beyond any doubt, however, sexual disorders appear in women at this time of life and the factors which determine them can vary greatly. Given the character of the situation, women ought to be supported both by a team of specialists representing different branches of medicine as well as by their relatives. The whole situation also calls for more research of the important subject matter.

Women’s sexuality as surveyed by the FSFI questionnaire in those with no history of childhood sexual abuse or violence

“…Sexual functioning was investigated by the aforementioned FSFI questionnaire (Female Sexual Function Test) consisting of 21 questions. The first 19 concerned sexual activity engaged in within the last 4 weeks taking into account the following 6 domain-structured areas: desire (questions 1 & 2), arousal (questions [3][4][5][6], lubrication (questions 7-10), orgasm (questions 11-13), satisfaction (questions 14-16) and pain/discomfort (questions 17-19). The questions were numerically graded by scores (domain scoring), in total, on a scale from 2.0 to 36.0.…”

“…The study outcomes demonstrate that women's sexuality is greater the more women are able to consciously pursue it, which is heavily influenced by cultural factors that define the limits of fulfilling their sexual needs. Thanks to the questionnaire, women can themselves recognise whether they have any problems with their sexuality and assess the quality of their sexuality [5][6][7].…”

Current aspects of treatment in patients with dystrophy and atrophy of the intimate area. What is new?

“…Наиболее частой причиной атрофических процессов в области гениталий называется недостаточная продукция эстрогенов, наблюдающаяся при вторичной гипофункции яичников как результат перенесенных инфекций, несбалансированных диет, после родов, во время лактации, у курящих женщин и, безусловно, в пре-и постменопаузе [3,[4][5][6]. Тем не менее не всегда развитие зуда и сухости вульвы и влагалища можно объяснить только дефицитом эстрогенов.…”

“…Развитие неприятных ощущений, дистрофия могут сочетаться с неправильным гигиеническим уходом при применении агрессивной интимной косметики, дезодорантов, со спринцеваниями местными антисептиками на фоне применения медикаментов (оральных контрацептивов, антибиотиков, антидепрессантов; гипотензивных препаратов и др. ), с гормональными нарушениями (заболеваниями щитовидной железы, сахарным диабетом), ахлоргидрией, дефицитом витаминов А, В, Д, железа [4,7].…”

Adjuvant therapy of female patients with degenerative processes of the vulva and vulvodynia

“…В последние годы в симптоматологии наруше-ний, возникающих в период климакса и в постмено-паузальный период, стала лидировать проблема урогенитальных расстройств, что связано с их выра-женным отрицательным влиянием на качество жиз-ни женщины [2][3][4]. Урогенитальные расстройства включают симптомокомплекс вторичных измене-ний, связанных с развитием атрофических и дис-трофических процессов в эстрогензависимых тка-нях, в том числе в структурах нижней трети мочепо-лового тракта, в мочевом пузыре, уретре, связочном аппарате малого таза, в мышцах тазового дна и во влагалище.…”