Sexual function,satisfaction with life and menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women

Purpose

To assess sexual function, satisfaction with life (SWL), and menopause-related symptoms among mid-aged Spanish women.

Materials and methods

Cross-sectional study of 260 women, aged 40–59, attending the public gynecology consultations completed the 14-item Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14), the SWL Scale (SWLS), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and a socio-demographic questionnaire.

Results

Median [inter quartile range] age was 47 [8.0] years, 87.7% had a stable partner, 27.0% were postmenopausal, and 53.9% had increased body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 46.5% (CSFQ-14 score ≤ 41). Postmenopausal status was associated with lower CSFQ-14 scores (worse sexual function) and severe menopausal symptoms whereas there were not significant differences in SWLS scores. CSFQ-14 scores correlated with SWLS (p < 0.04), and inversely correlated with menopausal symptoms (p < 0.02). Multiple linear regression analysis model predicted 26.6% of the total CSFQ-14 score variance, and higher scores (better sexual function) were correlated with better SWL, and inversely correlated to female age and worse menopausal symptoms. A second model predicted 38.4% of the SWLS score variance. The SWLS score correlated with the total CSFQ-14 score and BMI, and inversely correlated with economical problems, female tobacco use, lack of healthiness, menopausal symptoms, not having a partner, and partner's lack of healthiness.

Conclusions

Lower sexual function was related to low SWL, age and menopausal symptoms while low SWLS score was related with economical problems, smoking, menopausal symptoms, and partner factors.