Examining the sexual function and related attitudes among aged women: a cross- sectional study

Background: Sexual function and its subsequent satisfaction are among the most important aspects of women's life. However, this instinct could be influenced by some factors such as diseases, drug using, aging, and hormonal and physiologic changes associated with menopause, and sexual behavior

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence rates of sexual dysfunction, and related attitudes among aged women in Jahrom, Iran

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 746 postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 89 years old who had referred to obstetric and gynecologic clinic in Jahrom, from April to October 2014. Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire was used order to assess the sexual function. The cases were classified into three categories according to the attitude scores: negative [17-32], medium [33-38], and positive [39-48]. One-way ANOVA test was used to determine the relationship between FSFI and attitude scores

Results: The participants' mean +/- SD age was 60.10 +/- 6.89 years and the total mean score of FSFI was 19.31 +/- 8.5. In addition, 81.5% of the women had sexual dysfunction [FSFI< 26.55] and only 147 women [18.5%] had normal sexual function [FSFI> 26.55]. Almost 62.1% the women displayed a negative attitude towards sexuality and only 18.8% women had positive attitude. Feeling of dyspareunia [p= 0.02], lubrication [p< 0.0001], orgasm [p= 0.002] and satisfaction [p= 0.002] were significantly different between three categories of attitudes regarding sexuality, respectively

Conclusion: Our data showed that sexual disorders were highly prevalent among postmenopausal women. The most affected problems were arousal, dyspareunia, and lubrication. More than half of the women had negative attitude towards sexual function consequently this could affect their sexual function. So, it seems screening of sexual dysfunction for finding the causes in women should be the main sexual health program. Also, it would be important to emphasis the role of physicians and experts on education and counseling in this subject

Attitudes about sexual activity among postmenopausal women in different ethnic groups: a cross-sectional study in Jahrom, Iran

Background: Sexual function is affected by personal and interpersonal factors, familial and social traditions, culture, religion, menopause, and aging. So, ethnicity is a determining factor in sexual function. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and attitudes towards sexuality in postmenopausal women among three different ethnic groups in Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 746 postmenopausal women between 50 and 89 years who referred to Honoree clinic, Jahrom in 2013. Among the study participants, 42.4% were Arab, 33.5% were Persian, and 24.1% were Lor. Data were collected about women's socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes regarding sexuality and sexual function. The descriptive statistics were used for demographic variables. Moreover, ANOVA, post hoc [LSD] was used. Besides, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results: The participants' mean age was 60.10 +/- 6.89 years and the total mean score of Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] was 19.31 +/- 8.5. In addition, 81.5% of the women had sexual dysfunction [FSFI <26.55] and only 147 women [18.5%] had normal sexual function [FSFI >26.55]. Sexual dysfunction was 75.3% in Arabs, 83.2% in Persians, and 86.1% in Lors. Besides, the most prevalent sexual dysfunction was dyspareunia in Arabs and arousal disorder in Persians and Lors

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that sexual dysfunction is considerable among postmenopausal women. The most prevalent sexual dysfunction was dyspareunia in Arabs and arousal disorder in Persians and Lors

relationship between body mass index and sexual function in infertile women: a cross-sectional survey

Infertility as the bitterest life experience can affect sexual function. Many studies have shown agitation, depression, marital dissatisfaction, and sexual dysfunction as the psychological outcomes resulting from infertility. Many factors, including body mass index, influence the female sexual function. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and the relationship between sexual function and body mass index in the Iranian infertile women who had attended the infertility clinic. This cross sectional study was conducted on 502 infertile women who had attended Honoree clinic, Jahrom in Iran between April 2012 and December 2012. The infertile cases were classified into three groups according to the body mass index: 20-24.9 [Group I], 25-29.9 [Group II], and >29.9 and above [Group III]. In addition, Female sexual function index [FSFI] questionnaire was used in order to assess the sexual problems. Finally, the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Student's t-test. The mean age of women was 30.95 +/- 6.80 years. The results showed that 430 subjects [87.1%] had sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, the rate of sexual dysfunction among the infertile women was reported as 23.30%, 31.47%, and 45.23% in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Considering body mass index, FSFI score was 21.65 +/- 1.70 in the women with normal weight, 18.08 +/- 1.52 in overweight women, and 12.21 +/- 3.62 in obese women and the difference was statistically significant [p<0.001]. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was quite high in infertile women, which might be due to the lack of knowledge about marital issues and lack of training in the society. If body mass index is too high, it can have a great effect on fertility. In this study, being overweight and obese based on body mass index had a negative effect on the infertile woman's sexual function

Sexual dysfunction in Iranian pregnant women

Sexuality is an important part of women's health, quality of life, and general well-being. There are many factors influencing the female sexual function, including psychological, physiological, couple relationship, and socio-cultural factors. Pregnancy plays an important role in the sexual function and behavior of women. This study aims to evaluate the sexual function and determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women during pregnancy. The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 257 healthy pregnant women aging between18-40 years who had attended the antenatal clinic, Paymaneh Hospital, Jahrom, Iran between April and October 2011 Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] questionnaire was used for assessing the sexual function The mean age of the participants was reported as 26.45 +/- 4.49 years. In addition, 143, 69, and 45 subjects were in their 1[st], 2[nd], and 3[rd] trimesters, respectively. Comparison of the second and the third trimesters revealed a significant difference in the scores of all FSFI domains and the mean total FSFI score was reported as 19.9 +/- 22.45. Among the study subjects, 197 ones [79.1%] had sexual dysfunction [FSFI score <26.5], while only 52 [20.9%] had normal sexual function [FSFI score >/= 26.5]. The sexual dysfunction among pregnant women was rated as 23.4%, 30.5%, and 46.2% in the 1[st], 2[nd], and 3[rd] trimesters, respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high during pregnancy and reaches higher levels in the third trimester. Therefore, pregnant women and their partners need counseling about physical and psychological changes in pregnancy