Knowledge-attitude-practice of sexual intercourse of post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study knowledge, attitude, practice and concern related to sexual intercourse of post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and thirty subjects were included in the study from the 1st of May 2000 to the 31st of August 2000 at the Menopause Clinic, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen. All subjects were interviewed by a researcher with structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Sixty seven per cent of the subjects had an acceptable level of knowledge, whereas, 87.7 per cent thought that they could have sexual intercourse similar to what they had in their pre-menopausal period. It was found that 85.4 per cent and 88.5 per cent of the subjects had either less or absent sexual desire and less sexual activity, respectively. In terms of their concern, 73.9 per cent of the subjects were not worried about sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The majority of the post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy had a good level of knowledge and attitude concerning sexual intercourse. Although most of them had decreased sexual desire and activity, this sexual activity did not cause them concern.