Assessing sexual function in middle-aged sexually active Spanish women: a community-based study focusing on the intimate partner.

Abstract

This study evaluated sexual function, the influence of the relationship with the intimate partner, and the factors related to sexual function in middle-aged Spanish women. The methodology entailed a cross-sectional study of 187 sexually active women aged 40-59 years. The participants were randomly recruited from primary public health care. They completed the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6), the short-form Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed. The participants' median age was 49 years, 90.4% had a steady intimate partner, 54.5% were postmenopausal, 43.3% had chronic diseases, 12.3% reported alcohol abuse, and 35.8% smoked. The prevalence of low sexual function was 33.16% in all the women, and 44.12% in the postmenopausal women (an FSFI-6 total score ≤ 19 reflects low sexual function). WAST screening detected 17.65% cases of intimate partner violence (WAST total score ≤ 1), with low sexual function in 87.9%. Multiple linear regression analysis models revealed that the lowest total FSFI-6 scores (worst sexual function) were negatively associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, hysterectomy, and associated female issues. The scores in the FSFI-6 domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) were linked to IPV (P < 0.001), except for lubrication (P < 0.001 postmenopausal). Low sexual function was more common in women who were positively screened for IPV. It was identified as a key factor, which contributes to deteriorating middle-aged women's sexual health.