Sexual dysfunction in perimenopausal women based on a national epidemiological survey in China

Abstract

Objective: Sexual function in premenopausal and postmenopausal women was diverse in previous related literature, and national epidemiological data are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate female sexual dysfunction (FSD) variation in the transition of menopause based on a national epidemiological survey in China.

Methods: A national epidemiological survey on female sexual function was conducted from February 2014 to January 2016 in mainland China. The sexual functioning of women was assessed by the Chinese version of the 19-item Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. Six domains and prevalence of FSD in premenopausal and postmenopausal women were calculated and analyzed.

Results: Fifty years old was the median age of menopausal status. Apart from age, desire and arousal dysfunctions were the main dysfunction domains in postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women (42.5% vs. 37.1%, p = 0.019; 40.8% vs. 33.2%, p = 0.001). Desire disorder and organism disorder significantly recovered with age and for postmenopausal timing.

Conclusions: This survey provided insights into six domains and prevalence of FSD in premenopausal and postmenopausal women apart from age. The importance of this study was underlined by data based on a national epidemiological survey.

摘要

目的：以往相关文献中, 绝经前和绝经后女性的性功能存在差异, 且国内流行病学资料较少。本研究目的旨在中国流行病学调查基础上, 探讨绝经过渡期女性性功能障碍（FSD）的变化。

方法：于2014年2月至2016年1月在中国大陆进行女性性功能的全国性流行病学调查。女性性功能采用19项女性性功能指数中文版问卷进行评估。计算并分析了绝经前和绝经后女性中FSD的6个区域和患病率。

结果：50岁是绝经状态的中位年龄。与绝经前女性相比, 除年龄外, 欲望和唤醒功能是绝经后女性的主要功能障碍区域（42.5% vs. 37.1%, p=0.019; 40.8% vs. 33.2%, p=0.001）。随着年龄和绝经后时间延长, 欲望障碍和机体紊乱显著恢复。

结论：本研究对绝经前和绝经后女性FSD的6个区域和患病率（年龄除外）进行了深入研究。基于全国的流行病学调查的数据强调了本研究的重要性。

Keywords:

• Sexual dysfunction
• premenopause
• postmenopause
• women

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Correction

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Chen Chen and Cindy Glovinsky for capable research assistance.

Conflict of interest

Jialit Tong, Chunni Zhang, Lei Zhang, Jinghe Lang and, Lan Zhu declare no competing interests.

Source of funding

This study received financial support from the 12th Five-Year National Key Technology Support Program ‘Epidemiology on Sexual Dysfunction, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, and Fecal Incontinence among Chinese Women’, sponsored by National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China [Grant No. 2014BAI05B00].

Additional information

Funding

This study received financial support from the 12th Five-Year National Key Technology Support Program ‘Epidemiology on Sexual Dysfunction, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, and Fecal Incontinence among Chinese Women’, sponsored by National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China [Grant No. 2014BAI05B00].