Cross-sectional study on the impact of age, menopause and quality of life on female sexual function

Abstract

We sought to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and to examine the influence of age, menopausal state and quality of life (QoL) on the female sexual function (FSF) of healthy women and those with benign gynaecological disease. With this purpose, we conducted a cross-sectional study, based on self-report questionnaires (sociodemographic, WHOQOL-BREF and FSFI), enrolling 107 women. Some 51.6% (n = 55) were diagnosed with FSD. We found no statistical significant differences between grouped reason for consultation and FSFI total score (p = .72) and its domains (p > .05). The results showed a negative strong correlation between age and FSFI total score (S= −0.71) and a positive moderate correlation between WHOQOL-BREF and FSFI total scores (S = 0.39). We observed statistically significant differences between menopausal state and FSFI total score (p = .001). In conclusion, the prevalence of FSD in our population was 51.6%. Our study results reveal that a reduction in FSFI scores has a negative impact on QoL and vice versa, regardless of the reason for consultation. Elderly age and postmenopausal state have deleterious effects on FSF.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Poor QoL can adversely affect FSF and vice versa. The study of FSF is relatively recent and there is controversy regarding the deleterious effects of elderly age and menopause on FSF. The prevalence of FSD is difficult to precisely determine, given the studies’ use of different definitions for FSD and the highly heterogeneous study populations, as well as the types of tests and questionnaires employed. Sexual difficulties are problems seldom discussed between patients and their physicians. Lack of time, misconceptions, shame and frustration, considering sexuality as too intimate to discuss in the doctor's office, uncertainty regarding therapeutic options and insufficient training of health professionals are just some of the reasons mentioned for not addressing sexual dysfunction in a general consultation.

• What do the results of this study add? Our study is the first research in Spain on the impact of age, menopause and QoL on gynaecological patients´ FSF. Our results indicate that an impaired FSF could be related to poorer well-being and QoL; however, benign gynaecological disease does not appear to affect FSF. Elderly age and postmenopausal state can have deleterious effects on FSF.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Sexuality is an important aspect of QoL. Therefore, gynaecologists should discuss issues of sexuality with their patients in routine visits, especially in case of elderly and postmenopausal women. In addition, gynaecologists should train in the diagnosis and treatment of the female sexual dysfunction.

Keywords:

• Age
• menopause
• quality of life
• sexuality
• self-report questionnaires

Ethical approval

The study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of University Hospital Virgen Macarena and an informed consent was obtained from the participants to use their data for the investigation and publication. An informed consent was obtained from the participants to use their data for publication. The authors also consent for publication.

Acknowledgements

The authors did not receive any specific funding for performing this research.

Author contributions

Jorge Cea García carried out the conception of the study, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of results and article writing. M. Carmen Rubio Rodríguez and Francisco Márquez Maraver participated in the critical revision and final approval.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the participants´electronic clinical records. The data can be found in participants´clinical records in Virgen Macarena University Hospital.