Association between menopausal symptoms, sexual function, and sexual activity – a cross-sectional study

• Main Author: Fausto D.Y.*
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Martins J.B.B.*, da Silveira J.*, Cardoso F.L.*, Guimaraes, Adriana Coutinho De Azevedo
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da Udesc
• Download full: https://repositorio.udesc.br/handle/UDESC/2464

© 2023 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved.Introduction: To analyse the possible association between menopausal symptoms (somatic-vegetative, psychological, and urogenital) and sexual function with the maintenance of the sexual activity of women in menopause. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 96 menopausal women aged 40–59 (52.88 ±4.05) years, who presented a positive score to the menopause rating scale (MRS) and had serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone ≥ 25 IU/ml. Participants who used hormone replacement therapy were excluded. Results: It was observed that participants who had an active sexual life had lower medians in the somatic-vegetative (p < 0.001) and psychological symptoms (p = 0.006), as well as in the general score (p = 0.001) at the MRS; in addition, they had better sexual function in 4 domains (p < 0.005): excitement, lubrication, orgasm, and pain, as well as in the total score of the female sexual function index questionnaire (p < 0.005). It was also found that, regardless of the type of menopause (surgical or natural), women who did not engage in sexual activity had a score of 5.651 points more in the MRS (p = 0.004), demonstrating that the practice of sexual activity predicts in 10.4% the variation in the symptom score. Conclusions: Menopausal women who maintain sexual activity had a lower score on the menopause symptom score and better sexual function compared to those who did not perform sexual activity.