Sexual functioning in postmenopausal women not taking hormone therapy in the Gynecological and Menopause Clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital measured by Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
To study sexual functioning and attitudes towards sexuality in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 219 healthy postmenopausal women with a uterus, aged 45-55 years, and not taking hormone therapy, who attended the gynecological and menopause clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used as the instrument.


RESULTS
The median age at enrollment and menopause age of women were 52 and 49, respectively. All the women had engaged in sexual intercourse. Sixty nine percent reported being sexually active once or twice in the previous four weeks, 27.9% three to four times and 3.1% more than four times. The mean total FSFI score was 20.4 while the proportion of women with female sexual dysfunction based on FSFI overall scores of 26.5 or less was 82.2%. Almost all the women displayed a positive attitude towards sexuality. Ninety six percent reported having sex in menopause as a natural normal part of life, 95% regarded having sex to make their partner happy whereas 77% regarded sex as a way to make themselves happy.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women was rather high. However, they were still satisfied with their sexual relationship and had a positive attitude towards sexuality.
Peeyananjarassri
Krantarat
K
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand. krantarat@yahoo.com
Liabsuetrakul
Tippawan
T
Soonthornpun
Karanrat
K
Choobun
Thanapun
T
Manopsilp
Penchit
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand