Determinants of sexual dysfunction among middle-aged women

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the determinants of sexual dysfunction among middle-aged women. MethodsIn a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study of middle-aged women (aged 40–65years) attending a public healthcare facility in Natal, Brazil, data on sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics were collected between May and October 2011. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Blatt–Kupperman Menopausal Index (BKMI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and WHO quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref) were used to collect data, which were analyzed by relative frequency and percentage of variables, followed by Pearson χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. ResultsAmong 370 study participants, 67% exhibited sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤26.55). Women who were in the oldest age group (56–65years) (P<0.001), were divorced or separated (P<0.001), were sedentary (P=0.006), had undergone a hysterectomy (P=0.016), had strong climacteric symptoms (P<0.001), or had low quality of life (P<0.001) had a significantly higher incidence of sexual dysfunction. Logistic regression showed that the eldest group of women (55–65years) (95% CI, 3.4–15.7; P<0.001), with the strongest climacteric manifestations (95% CI, 3.4–15.7; P<0.001) and lowest quality of life (95% CI, 3.2–13.8; P<0.001), were most likely to develop sexual dysfunction. ConclusionSexual dysfunction was found to be substantially influenced by sociodemographic, biologic, and behavioral variables.