Objective To assess the relationship between sexual hormones, sexual function and quality of life in postmenopausal women. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 36 postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 65 in follow-up at a climacteric outpatient clinic. Mood, quality of life, sexual function and hormonal profile were assessed. Results With regard to sexual hormones and sexual function, a relationship was found between orgasm and luteinizing hormone (r=0.37), orgasm and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (r=0.39), SHBG and less pain (r=0.44), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and desire (r=-0.45), as well as between prolactin and lubrication (r=0.33). Sexual hormones and quality of life were related as follows: progesterone and limitations due to physical aspects (r=0.35), SHBG and social aspects (r=0.35), cortisol and pain (r=0.46), DHEA and social aspects (r=-0.40). Finally, the following relationships were found between sexual function and quality of life: sexual desire and vitality, social aspects, state of general health and mental health (r=0.46, r=0.51, r=0.35, and r=0.38, respectively). Arousal, orgasm and satisfaction with sexual life showed a relationship with less physical pain (r=0.40, r=0.42, and r=0.43, respectively). Satisfaction with sexual life was correlated with vitality (r=0.33). Conclusion Different correlations than expected were found in this study regarding the effect of some hormones on sexual function and some aspects of the quality of life of postmenopausal women.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo discutir que a maior incidência de adoecimento mental no climatério decorre principalmente das perdas experimentadas nesta etapa da vida. Para cumprir este objetivo, recorremos a uma análise qualitativa de viés psicanalítico, com base na experiência de pesquisadores envolvidos em um estudo transversal, com 130 mulheres climatéricas, com idade entre 45 e 65 anos. As principais queixas observadas foram organizadas em grupos por similaridade temática. Observou-se que, no período do climatério, o luto se instala por diferentes perdas percebidas pelas mulheres. A maioria dessas perdas está relacionada a questões de estética, de fertilidade, projeto de vida e as perdas sociais vivenciadas. Concluímos que o adoecimento mental observado no climatério pode ser o sintoma que se forma para denunciar um contexto de perdas. A compreensão dessas perdas e da instalação de um processo de luto pode permitir um olhar mais humano e cuidado mais eficiente.