PURPOSE:
To evaluate the sexual function and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in climacteric women.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 173 women aged 35 to 65 years old, with a steady partner during the last 6 months, who are literate, without cognitive impairment, and with sexual activity for at least 6 months. The instrument used to assess sexual performance was the Sexual Quotient, female version. The association between sexual dysfunction and sociodemographic data, personal, obstetric and sexual history was determined by Pearson's χ2 test and strength of association by the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI).
RESULTS:
In this study, 46.2% of the women reported sexual dysfunction. There was a decrease in the chance of sexual dysfunction for the age group between 35 and 49 years old (OR=0.3; 95%CI 0.2–0.6) and for women who felt comfortable talking about sex (OR=0.5; 95%CI 0.2–0.8). However, the presence of osteoporosis (OR=3.3; 95%CI 1.5–7.6), urinary incontinence (OR=2.0; 95%CI 1.1–3.7), and surgical corrections of the pelvic floor (OR=2.2; 95%CI 1.1–4.5) increased this chance.
CONCLUSIONS:
The frequency of sexual dysfunction in women aged 35 to 65 years old was 46.2% and factors such as osteoporosis, urinary incontinence and surgical corrections of the pelvic floor increased the chance of sexual dysfunction.
Women's health; Climacteric/metabolism; Sexual dysfunction, physiologic; Sexuality