Sexual dysfunction among middle aged women in the community

Osborn, Madeline; Hawton, Keith; Gath, Dennis

doi:10.1136/bmj.296.6627.959

Cited by 197 publications

(107 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] Prior studies on the relationship between sexuality and aging in women have shown a decrease in sexual activity and sexual function with time. 5,[8][9][10][11][12][13] These studies, however, have limitations: (1) small sample sizes; (2) a focus only frequency of sexual activity and include no information on sexual satisfaction, despite sexual satisfaction also being important to women 14,15 ; and (3) the use of clinical practicebased samples, which may include more women with sexual function complaints or medical problems than the general population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of Sexual Activity and Satisfaction in Midlife and Older Women

Thomas

Hess

Thurston

2015

The Annals of Family Medicine

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PURPOSE Sexual activity is an important component of quality of life for women across their lifespan. Prior studies show a decline in sexual activity with age, but these studies often fail to consider the role of sexual satisfaction. The aim of this study is to give updated prevalence estimates of sexual activity among women and to elucidate factors associated with sexual activity and sexual satisfaction. METHODSWe report a cross-sectional analysis of the second wave of a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 28 to 84 years, the Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. The survey used self-administered questionnaires to assess demographic data, self-rated physical and mental health, medical problems and medication use, relationship factors, and sexual activity and satisfaction.RESULTS Of 2,116 women who answered the questions regarding sexuality, 1,345 (61.8%) women were sexually active in the previous 6 months. The proportion of women who were sexually active decreased with advancing age. Women who were married or cohabitating had approximately 8 times higher odds of being sexually active (odds ratio = 7.91, 95% CI, 4.16-15.04; P <.001). Among women aged 60 years and older who were married or cohabitating, most (59.0%) were sexually active. Among women who were sexually active, higher relationship satisfaction (P <.001), better communication (P = .011), and higher importance of sex P = .040) were related to higher sexual satisfaction, but age was not (P = .79).CONCLUSIONS A considerable proportion of midlife and older women remain sexually active if they have a partner available. Psychosocial factors (relationship satisfaction, communication with romantic partner, and importance of sex) matter more to sexual satisfaction than aging among midlife and older women.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of Sexual Activity and Satisfaction in Midlife and Older Women

Thomas

Hess

Thurston

2015

The Annals of Family Medicine

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“…6 In some studies, women who are in the MT or postmenopause (PM) report lower sexual interest or desire than do women who have not yet entered the MT, [7][8][9] but in other study populations, there is no difference. [10][11][12][13] Reports from longitudinal studies of women followed throughout the MP have contributed to a more thorough understanding of factors associated with sexual desire during the MT and early PM. Avis et al 14 found that postmenopausal women in the Massachusetts Women's Health Study reported a reduction in sexual desire more frequently than did women who had not yet begun the MT or were in the MT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Desire During the Menopausal Transition and Early Postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study

Woods

Mitchell

Julio

2010

Journal of Women's Health

127

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Aims: To describe levels of sexual desire across the menopausal transition (MT) and early postmenopause (PM), including effects of age, MT-related factors, health, stress, symptoms (hot flash, sleep, mood), and social opportunity factors. Methods: A subset of Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study (SMWHS) participants who provided data during the early reproductive, early and late menopausal transition stages, or postmenopause (n ¼ 286), including menstrual calendars for staging the MT, annual health reports between 1990 and 2005, and morning urine samples assayed for estrone glucuronide (E 1 G), testosterone (T), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was included. Multilevel modeling using the R program was used to test factors related to sexual desire. Results: Women experienced a significant decrease in sexual desire during the late MT stage ( p < 0.01) and early PM ( p < 0.0001). Those with higher urinary E 1 G and T reported significantly higher levels of sexual desire, whereas those with higher FSH levels reported significantly lower sexual desire ( p < 0.0001, 0.06, and 0.0002, respectively). Women using hormone therapy also reported higher sexual desire ( p ¼ 0.02). Those reporting higher perceived stress reported lower sexual desire ( p < 0.0001), but history of sexual abuse did not have a significant effect. Those most troubled by symptoms of hot flashes, fatigue, depressed mood, anxiety, difficulty getting to sleep, early morning awakening, and awakening during the night also reported significantly lower sexual desire ( p range from <0.03 to 0.0001), but there was no effect of vaginal dryness. Women with better perceived health reported higher sexual desire ( p < 0.0001), and those reporting more exercise and more alcohol intake also reported greater sexual desire ( p < 0.0001). Having a partner was associated with lower sexual desire. Conclusions: Clinicians working with women traversing the MT should be aware that promoting healthy sexual functioning among midlife women requires consideration of their changing biology as well as ongoing life challenges.

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“…The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been extensively studied worldwide [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]; other male sexual problems, such as early ejaculation, have also received some attention [6,7], but much less is known about sexual life and problems of mature and elderly women [11][12][13]. Furthermore, there are currently no recommendations about how men or women can manage or overcome their sexual problems, and there are no studies that allow a comparison of sexual behaviours and problems across many different countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual problems and help‐seeking behaviour in adults in the United Kingdom and continental Europe

Moreira¹,

Glasser²,

Nicolosi³

et al. 2008

BJU International

119

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Study Type -Symptom prevalence study (prospective cohort study) Level of Evidence 1b OBJECTIVESTo study sexual activity, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, and related help-seeking behaviour patterns among middle-aged and older people in the UK and Europe. SUBJECTS AND METHODSA telephone survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, health, relationships, and sexual behaviour, attitudes and beliefs. In the UK, 1500 individuals completed the survey. RESULTSOverall, 69% of men and 56% of women reported having sexual intercourse during the past year. The most common male sexual problems, i.e. early ejaculation (20%) and erectile dysfunction (18%), were more common in the UK than in other European regions. The most common female sexual problems, i.e. a lack of sexual interest (34%) and a lack of pleasure in sex (25%), were also more common in the UK than in other European regions. Only 26% of men and 17% of women had discussed their sexual problem(s) with a doctor. CONCLUSIONMany people in the UK maintain sexual interest and activity into middle age and beyond. Although they experience sexual problems, few seek medical help. This might be because they do not perceive such problems as serious or sufficiently upsetting, and/or are not aware of available treatments.

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Sexual dysfunction among middle aged women in the community

Cited by 197 publications

References 14 publications

Correlates of Sexual Activity and Satisfaction in Midlife and Older Women

Correlates of Sexual Activity and Satisfaction in Midlife and Older Women

Sexual Desire During the Menopausal Transition and Early Postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study

Sexual problems and help‐seeking behaviour in adults in the United Kingdom and continental Europe

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