Abstract
BackgroundPostmenopause physiological changes may alter body image (BI) during the postmenopausal period of life. Body image dissatisfaction may have negative effects on the sexual function of women. The present study aims to assess the relationship between body image and sexual function during the postmenopausal period.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 231 postmenopausal women who were menopausal during the recent 5 years, aged > 40 years old, and referring to health centers in Tehran-Iran. The participants were recruited using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected using 3 questionnaires including socio-demographic, Fisher’s Body Image, and female sexual function index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and multiple regression, Mann–Whitey, Pearson, and Spearman correlation tests.ResultsTwo hundred thirty-one postmenopausal women aged 52.53 ± 5.32 (mean ± SD) years old participated in the study. The mean and standard deviation of FSFI and BI of the women were respectively 19.59 ± 11.11(ranges 1.2–36) and 155.43 ± 37.09 (ranges from 46 to 230). According to FSFI, 62.8% of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was reported. There were significant correlations between scores of total and all domains of FSFI with scores of total and all dimensions of BI. There was also a positive correlation between education and family income of the women and a negative correlation between age of husband and duration of menopause with their sexual function. Significant relationships were also shown between the women's and the husbands' jobs with the total score of women's sexual function. According to the multiple linear regression model, BI was a significant predictor of sexual function in postmenopausal women.ConclusionBody image is effective on the sexual function of postmenopausal women. Therefore, body image is necessary to be considered in future postmenopausal health promotion programs.
Highlights
Postmenopause physiological changes may alter body image (BI) during the postmenopausal period of life
female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was observed in 62.8% of postmenopausal women
This study was performed on perimenopausal women, the results are consistent with our results as we considered the first 5 years of the postmenopausal period of the participants
Summary
Postmenopause physiological changes may alter body image (BI) during the postmenopausal period of life. Body image dissatisfaction may have negative effects on the sexual function of women. The present study aims to assess the relationship between body image and sexual function during the postmenopausal period. Along with the gradual decrease in estrogen and progesterone, which leads to complete ovarian failure and menopause, women experience physical, psychosocial, or sexual changes [2]. By the year 2030, there will be 1.2 billion menopausal and postmenopausal women in the world [4]. Most middle-aged women (approximate age 40–60) are sexually active and sex is important to them [6], several studies showed negative changes in female sexual function in middle age [7, 8]
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