title: The impairment of sexual function is less distressing for menopausal than for premenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Menopause requires psychological and physical adjustments because of the occurring significant hormonal changes. Sexuality is one of the aspects that undergoes the most profound modifications. Preliminary data suggest that sometimes women do not regard sexual changes as problematic and often readjust their life and relationship according to their new physical status.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate sexual function and the way women feel by comparing healthy postmenopausal and premenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred menopausal (M) and 100 premenopausal (pM) healthy women were asked to complete anonymous questionnaires to assess sexual function and stress related to sexual activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were completed by M and pM women. Results. Medium FSFI score was 20.5 +/- 9.6 and 26.4 +/- 7.7 (P < 0.0005) and medium FSDS score was 12.1 +/- 11.7 (95% CI 9.7-14.4) and 11.3 +/- 10.2 (P = 0.917) for M and pM women, respectively. Twenty-five of the 69 M women and 20 of the 31 pM women with a pathological score in the FSFI questionnaire scored higher than 15 in the FSDS (P < 0.0005). The overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 20% and 25% (P = 0.5) in the M and pM women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data confirm that menopause is associated with changes in sexual function that may be compatible with sexual dysfunction. However, personal distress caused by these changes in sexual life appears to be lower among menopausal women (36.2%) as compared with premenopausal women (64.5%). These data suggest that medical treatment for sexual health in menopause must be highly personalized and carefully prescribed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Sexual Health, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy. martaber@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berra
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Musso
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matteucci
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Anna Myriam
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pelusi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelusi
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meriggiola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology; D017697:Premenopause / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone