Prevalence and associated risk factors for sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women: a study from Iran

BACKGROUND: Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a distressing condition linked to menopause. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors for FSD among postmenopausal women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of postmenopausal women attending a gynecology clinic in a teaching hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences was enrolled into the study. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function. In addition, demographic and psychosocial information were recorded. The association between sexual function and anxiety and depression were examined to explore the data. RESULTS: In all 162 postmenopausal women were studied. We performed general linear regression analysis to assess the relationship between sexual function and anxiety while including demographic variables in the model. The results showed that the model could explain about 46% of the variance observed in sexual function (adjusted R(2) = 0.467). The analysis indicated that among independent variables, age (p < 0.001), sexual frequency (p < 0.001), and anxiety (p = 0.003) were significant contributing factors associated with sexual function. A similar analysis evaluating the relationship between sexual function and depression in menopausal women found that age (p < 0.001), sexual frequency (p < 0.001), and depression (p = 0.003), were significant contributing factors associated with sexual function; explaining about 46% of the variance observed (adjusted R(2) = 0.466). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that nearly half of menopausal women had sexual dysfunction in this convenience sample of women seeking gynecologic care. Women reporting sexual dysfunction also reported a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression. Indeed, recognition of such factors requires a holistic therapeutic approach to sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women.