Sexual Function Assessment in Postmenopausal Women with the 14-Item Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction Sexual function assessment is relevant to improve female health care. Aim Assess sexual function in postmenopausal women and determine predictors related to sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related female/partner data and tool measures. Methods Cross-sectional study in which 117 sexually active postmenopausal women filled out the 14-item Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14), the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CESD-10), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and a general questionnaire containing female/partner data. Correlations between tool measurements and female/partner data were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures Primary end point was sexual function predictors. Results Median age was 57 years, 8.5% had low income, 3.4% had surgical menopause, 17.1% had hypertension, and 66.7% increased body mass index. In addition, 21.4% were current hormone therapy users and 28.2% engaged in regular exercise. According to the MRS, muscle/joint problems (86.3%) and physical/mental exhaustion (81.2%) were the top encountered menopausal symptoms. Also, 48.7% displayed depressed mood (CESD-10 total scores ≥10) and 64.1% displayed total CSFQ-14 scores ≤41, suggesting sexual dysfunction. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was high for all tools: total CSFQ-14 scale (0.87), total MRS (0.80), and the CESD-10 (0.85). CSFQ-14 total scores inversely correlated with MRS scores (total, psychological, and urogenital, P < 0.05). Arousal scale scores inversely correlated with MRS total and urogenital scores whereas orgasm scores only with the total MRS. CESD-10 scores inversely correlated with all CSFQ-14 scores and positively with all MRS scores. Multiple linear regression was used to obtain a reduced best-fit model predicting total CSFQ-14 scores (sexual function). Total CSFQ-14 scores were positively correlated to female education, and education and regular exercising in the partner and inversely correlated to CESD-10 total scores. Conclusion Assessed with the CSFQ-14 tool, sexual function of this postmenopausal sample correlated to female/partner educational, lifestyle, and health factors. More research is warranted in this regard.

Physical activity and sexual function in middle-aged women

“…Various reports seem to indicate a link between general quality of life, menopausal symptoms and sexual function in middle-aged women [17][18][19] . During menopause, a decrease in libido and sexual dysfunction occurs [18][19][20] .…”

“…During menopause, a decrease in libido and sexual dysfunction occurs [18][19][20] . Moreover, sleep disorders, depressed mood and other psychological problems that reduce quality of life have a significant impact on female sexual function 17,21 . In a longitudinal analysis, Elavsky et al 13 found that middle-aged women perceive their body more positively when physical activity levels are high, increasing their selfesteem, and maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).…”

“…The female aging process promotes physical changes, in addition to emotional and social factors that may diminish their quality of life 3 . Menopausal symptoms were also less intense in women that exercised regularly [15][16][17][18] . Additionally, exercise has been shown to modify many menopausal symptoms, particularly mood, sleep, anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints [15][16][17] .…”

“…Menopausal symptoms were also less intense in women that exercised regularly [15][16][17][18] . Additionally, exercise has been shown to modify many menopausal symptoms, particularly mood, sleep, anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints [15][16][17] . Fewer psychosomatic symptoms and reports of sexual dysfunctions are observed in physically active menopausal women 16 .…”

Sexual Dysfunctions and Affecting Factors in Middle Aged Indian Females

“…It may be due to decline in hormones leading to urogenital atrophy (6) . Also due to deceased physical activity menopausal symptoms become more intense like mood, depression, anxiety, decreased sleep and musculoskeletal disorders leading to diminished quality of life (7,8,9) . Sometimes these FSDs are due to sexual pain which may be caused by PID, deep infiltrating lesions of pelvis or endometriosis which can be treated accordingly (10) .…”