Low sexual function and its associated risk factors in pre- and postmenopausal women without clinically significant depression

Abstract 

Objectives

To investigate the low sexual function and its associated risk factors in pre- and postmenopausal women without clinically significant depression.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 180 women aged between 19 and 60 years who admitted to our outpatient clinic. Sexual function was assessed by female sexual function index and clinically significant depression was measured by Beck depression inventory test.

Results

The rate of low sexual function was 85.9% in postmenopausal (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8–4.8) and 47.7% in premenopausal women (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3–0.5) (p<0.0001). The postmenopausal group reported significantly lower desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain scores than controls (p<0.0001, for all of them). Low sexual function was positively correlated with age (r=0.37, p<0.0001), menopausal status (r=0.40, p<0.0001), gravidity (r=0.44, p<0.0001), parity (r=0.43, p<0.0001), abortion rates (r=0.27, p=0.001) and marriage period (r=0.40, p<0.0001). There were also significant negative correlations between low sexual function and education (r=−0.39, p<0.0001) and family income (r=−0.29, p<0.0001). However, multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that education, family income and menopausal status were the only independent variables for low sexual function after adjusted for age, gravidity, parity, abortion, marriage period and menopausal status.

Conclusion

Low sexual function was relatively high in postmenopausal women without clinically significant depression. Education, family income and menopausal status were the independent risk factors for low sexual function. Investigation of female sexuality was essential for these patients.

Keywords: Low sexual function, Menopause, Depression, Risk factors