Sexual health in Spanish postmenopausal women presenting at outpatient clinics

Climacteric. 2017 Apr;20(2):164-170. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2017.1282453. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Abstract

Objective: One of the most common complaints among postmenopausal women is a change in sexual drive. The aim of this study was to assess the current state of sexual health in Spanish postmenopausal women who present at outpatient gynecology clinics.

Method: In this multicenter, observational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study, a survey was conducted that included 3026 Spanish postmenopausal women in a routine clinical setting in outpatient gynecology clinics at public and private institutions throughout Spain. We used the Women's Sexual Function questionnaire, which has been validated in Spain.

Results: In the multivariate analysis, we found that the best indicators of sexual health in postmenopausal women were a higher education (p < 0.001), working or previously worked (p < 0.001), a stable partner (p < 0.001), living in an urban area (p < 0.01), healthy habits and received information about menopause (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: These results indicate that it is important to provide health education and information about menopause and the complaints associated with this period in a woman's life.

Keywords: Sexual health; health education; menopause; sexual disorders.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Employment
  • Female
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Humans
  • Libido
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Postmenopause*
  • Reproductive Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / epidemiology*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / etiology
  • Sexual Partners
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population
  • Women's Health