Evaluating Affecting Factors on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women

Background: Sexual problems are very prevalent in climacteric periods due to hormonal, social, and physiological changes, and sexual dysfunction of women can affect women’s self-confidence, marital relationship, and quality of life. Objectives: This study was done to investigate the relationship between urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, prolapse, hot flush, and education with the sexual function of menopause women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on ۴۰۸ women who were referred to health care centers in Zanjan, Iran between ۲۰۱۸ and ۲۰۱۹. Sampling was performed using a systematic randomized sampling method. Data collection tools were a checklist consists of questions about socio-demographic and reproductive information and the ۱۹-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. All data were analyzed using SPSS version ۱۶ through regression analysis and a P-value<۰.۰۵ was considered significant. Results: The mean age of women was ۴۷.۹۰±۳.۵۷ years. This study found the relationship between sexual function score and urinary incontinence (β=۰.۱۸, t=۳.۷۰, p<۰.۰۰۱), vaginal dryness (β=۰.۲۷, t=۵.۷۳, p<۰.۰۰۱), prolapse (β=-۰.۱۴, t=-۲.۹۷, p<۰.۰۰۱), and hot flush (β=۰.۱۶, t=۳.۳۵, p<۰.۰۰۱); however, there was no relationship between primary and university education with sexual function score (p<۰. ۳۴۳ and p<۰.۸۹۴, respectively).Conclusion: Based on the finding of this study, some factors, such as urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, and hot flush were associated with lower sexual function scores and prolapse was correlated with a higher score of sexual function. There was no significant correlation between sexual function and education level

Keywords:

sexual function , menopause , women , Iran