The Impairment of Sexual Function Is Less Distressing for Menopausal than for Premenopausal Women

Berra, Marta; Musso, Fabio; Matteucci, Carlotta; Martelli, Valentina; Perrone, Anna Myriam; Pelusi, Carla; Pelusi, Giuseppe; Meriggiola, Maria Cristina

doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01666.x

Cited by 33 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…We detected an increased prevalence of FSFI pathological score in premenopausal women affected by MetS compared with women presenting none, one, or two risk factors for MetS. Prevalence of FSFI pathological score was 29.2% in healthy women in agreement with previous reports [28], whereas it significantly increased to 44.9% in women affected by MetS. The analysis of individual domains of the FSFI showed that women with MetS scored significantly lower in the domain of desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Sexuality and Psychopathological Aspects in Premenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Alvisi¹,

Baldassarre²,

Lambertini³

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that have been suggested to impact female sexual function. Aims This study aims to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in premenopausal women with MetS compared with healthy controls (HC). Psychopathological aspects and the relationship to FSD were also evaluated in both groups. Methods Two hundred four premenopausal women, of whom 98 had diagnosis of MetS, were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ). Routine laboratory tests and anthropometric measurements were routinely performed. Main Outcome Measures FSFI and FSDS questionnaires, prevalence of FSD, and MHQ scores. Results In the MetS group compared with the HC group, we found: a lower global FSFI score (P = 0.005), higher prevalence of pathological scores compared with HC group, and lower scores in the desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm domains. An inverse correlation between the FSFI score and the number of risk factors for MetS was detected. MetS women reported significantly higher total scores in the somatization and depression domains when compared with the HC group. The logistic regression showed that high triglycerides (odds ratio [OR] 3.097; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.272–7.542; P = 0.026) and somatization (OR 7.068; CI 95% 2.291–21.812; P = 0.001) are independently associated with FSD in premenopausal women. Conclusions Our results indicate a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in MetS women. A number of risk factors for MetS are positively associated with FSD and higher triglycerides seem to be the strongest predictors of sexual dysfunction. Psychopathological dimensions such as somatization are strongly associated with sexual dysfunction.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Sexuality and Psychopathological Aspects in Premenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Alvisi¹,

Baldassarre²,

Lambertini³

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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“…Limiting the analysis to women who maintained sexual activity, we observed a tendency to increasing FSDS scores. The studies reporting decreasing sexual distress with increasing age did not distinguish between sexually active and inactive women, and the inclusion of inactive women could be causing the differing results [4,10]. In line with our finding, increased sexual distress has been described, for women in a significant relationship [21].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Other studies have described decreasing sexual distress with advancing age [4,10]. In our cohort, a tendency to lower FSDS could be observed across the decade when the entire sample was studied.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Sexual Function in the Late Postmenopause: A Decade of Follow-Up in a Population-Based Cohort of Australian Women

Lonnée-Hoffmann

Dennerstein

Lehert

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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Introduction There is a paucity of longitudinal studies assessing sexual function of women in the late postmenopause. Aim This study aims to describe sexual function of women in the late postmenopause and to investigate change from early postmenopause. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of 2012/13 and longitudinal analysis from 2002/04 of the population based, Australian cohort of the Women's Healthy Ageing Project, applying validated instruments: Short Personal Experience Questionnaire (SPEQ), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and California Verbal Learning Test. Main Outcome Measures Sexual activity, SPEQ, and FSDS. Results Two hundred thirty women responded (follow-up rate 53%), mean age was 70 years (range 64–77), 49.8% were sexually active. FSDS scores showed more distress for sexually active women (8.3 vs. 3.2, P < 0.001). For 23 (23%) sexually active and for five (7%) inactive women, the diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction could be made. After adjustment, available partner (odds ratio [OR] 4.31, P < 0.001), no history of depression (OR 0.49, P = 0.036), moderate compared with no alcohol consumption (OR 2.43, P = 0.019), and better cognitive function score (OR1.09, P = 0.050) were significantly predictive for sexual activity. Compared with early postmenopause, 18% more women had ceased sexual activity. For women maintaining their sexual activity through to late postmenopause (n = 82), SPEQ and FSDS scores had not changed significantly, but frequency of sexual activity had decreased (P = 0.003) and partner difficulties had increased (P = 0.043). [Correction added on 10 July 2014, after first online publication: Mean age of respondents was added.] Conclusions In late postmenopause, half of the women were sexually active. Most important predictors were partner availability and no history of depression. However, being sexually active or having a partner were associated with higher levels of sexual distress. Compared with early postmenopause, sexual function scores had declined overall but were stable for women maintaining sexual activity. Further research into causes of sexual distress and reasons for sexual inactivity at this reproductive stage is warranted.

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“…The climacteric is a variable and long, complex period of bio-psycho-social changes that may alter quality of life, including sexual satisfaction 4,10 . During the peri-and postmenopausal periods, there is a high incidence of sexual problems, sometimes associated with personal distress, sexual partner compatibility, male sexual dysfunction (premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction), male non-monogamy and drug consumption 4,[11][12][13][14][15][16] . Thus, postmenopausal women are 2.3 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction when compared to premenopausal women 17 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of sexuality among middle-aged women using the Female Sexual Function Index

et al. 2009

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Objective The purpose of the present investigation was to assess sexual function among middle-aged women and determine related risk factors (personal and partner) for sexual dysfunction. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, women aged 40-59 years were requested to fill out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a general demographic questionnaire containing personal and partner data.Results A total of 409 women with a mean age of 47 + 5.3 years were surveyed. Of these, 42.1% were premenopausal, 24.4% perimenopausal and 33.5% postmenopausal. At the time of survey, 10.5% of women were hysterectomized, 1.5% used psychotropic drugs, and 9.8% were on hormone therapy (HT) for the menopause; 28.1% had less than 12 years of schooling and 80.4% had only one partner at the moment of survey. Among their male partners, 7.3% abused alcohol, 10.3% had erectile dysfunction, 11.2% premature ejaculation and 63.83% were faithful partners. Mean (+ standard deviation) scores for the FSFI domains were: desire (3.7 + 1.2), arousal (3.1 + 2.5), lubrication (3.3 + 2.6), orgasm (2.6 + 2.3), satisfaction (4 + 1.7), and pain/dyspareunia (3.2 + 2.6). The mean total FSFI score was 20.1 + 12.4 (median 24.7). In this series, the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSFI score 26.55) was 55.7%, with women presenting difficulties across all domains of female sexual function but mostly in the dyspareunia and lubrication domains. Logistic regression analysis determined that female age (odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-6.8), p ¼ 0.001), postmenopausal status (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.1, p ¼ 0.007), partner's age (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1-4, p ¼ 0.03), educational level (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5-5, p ¼ 0.001), and the presence of erectile dysfunction (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3-10.9, p ¼ 0.01) and premature ejaculation (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.4-11.7, p ¼ 0.0001) significantly increased the risk for female sexual dysfunction. Partner faithfulness (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4, p ¼ 0.001) and menopausal HT use (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-1, p ¼ 0.04) decreased this risk.Conclusions In this series, male sexual health and demographic profile and female HT use were relevant determinants for sexual functioning among middle-aged women.

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The Impairment of Sexual Function Is Less Distressing for Menopausal than for Premenopausal Women

Cited by 33 publications

References 37 publications

Sexuality and Psychopathological Aspects in Premenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Sexuality and Psychopathological Aspects in Premenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Sexual Function in the Late Postmenopause: A Decade of Follow-Up in a Population-Based Cohort of Australian Women

Assessment of sexuality among middle-aged women using the Female Sexual Function Index

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