The changing nature of women’s sexual health concerns through the midlife years

The Impact of Sexual Functioning Problems on Mental Well-Being In U.S. Veterans from the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Conflicts

“…This study brings to light the fact that sexual problems are clearly present in this young veteran cohort and that such problems are significantly impacting QoL. It is well recognized that healthy sexual functioning is intimately linked to overall health, QoL and general well-being (Litwin et al, 1998;Nusbaum, Helton, & Ray, 2004). Our study further contributes to this body of literature and indicates that the relationship between sexual functioning and QoL is also pertinent in the cohort of veterans from the OEF/OIF conflicts.…”

“…Sexual health and functioning in general are an important consideration in our veteran population and appear to be a neglected area of clinical focus. Research indicates: (1) Both male and female veterans present to VA medical centers with sexual functioning concerns (Ackerman, D'Attilio, Antoni, & Campbell, 1991;Gilhooly, Ottenweller, Lange, Tiersky, & Natelson, 2001;Husain, Carwile, Miller, & Radtke, 1998;Plaud et al, 1996); and (2) sexual health is consistently identified by both male and female veterans as important (Mulligan & Moss, 1991;Nusbaum & Gamble, 2001;Nusbaum et al, 2004). However, medical providers are often unaware or inattentive to patient sexual health issues (Nusbaum & Gamble, 2001) and frequently fail to take a patient's sexual history or to initiate a discussion of sexual health needs (Ende, Rockwell, & Glasgow, 1984;Nusbaum & Gamble, 2001).…”

“…Of concern, there is currently no VA systemwide standardized policy or procedures for screening/treating sexual dysfunction. Barriers to assessment of sexual 22 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH function include: (1) Medical providers in general are reticent to initiate discussion of sexual functioning (Shell, 2007), and (2) patients consistently report that the topic of sexual health would be easier to broach if providers initiated the discussion (Akre, Michaud, & Suris, 2010;Nusbaum et al, 2004). A VA systemwide standardized screening policy for sexual health problems might mitigate these barriers.…”

Patient–Provider Communication About Sexual Health: The Relationship with Gender, Age, Gender-Stereotypical Beliefs, and Perceptions of Communication Inappropriateness

“…Many older adults feel uncomfortable and have difficulty discussing sexual issues and problems with their healthcare provider (Ephross 1989). Yet, sexual concerns exist among older adults (e.g., Nusbaum et al 2004). Perhaps due to traditionalism or perceptions of social impropriety, many older adults do not initiate discussions with their provider about sexual concerns.…”

“…Nusbaum et al (2004) mailed questionnaires to over 2,000 women in adulthood, midlife, and later life at military medical clinics (Bremerton and Madigan) in the early 1990s. Women were placed into one of three categories based on age (less than age 45-54% of sample; ages 45-54-15% of sample; and, over age 54-32% of sample).…”