Sexual activities, sexual and life satisfaction, and successful aging in women.

INTRODUCTION: Sexuality for women at all ages is a vital aspect of life satisfaction and is based upon continuing growth, development, and adaptation. The successful aging model includes physical, mental/emotional, and social well-being. There is no known published literature on the topic of sexual activities of older women and its implications on life and sexual satisfaction. AIM: To investigate the sexual activities of older women in Israel, their levels of sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction, and to examine the relationship between the level of sexual activities, sexual satisfaction, and life satisfaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Components of the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory, and the Life Satisfaction Index. METHODS: A descriptive, correlational study guided by the theory of "successful aging" by Havighurst (1961) was conducted using a convenience sample of 127 women who attended a menopause clinic for routine and follow up care. RESULTS: The research findings described older women as being involved in varied, though limited, sexual activities. There was no significant relationship discovered between the number of sexual activities and age. The level of sexual satisfaction of the studied sample was found to be above the mean score. Most of the women reported good sexual/intimate communication with their partners. Women were not satisfied with the limited variety in their sex life. Women reported a high level of life satisfaction. Ultimately, a positive significant correlation was discovered between sexual satisfaction and level of current sexual activity, and between sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Older women are interested in continuing their sexual activities. It is a component of life satisfaction. The desire for sexual variety suggested an important area for patient education. Couple communication was deemed a priority. Health providers should include sexual health issues in their discussions with clients of all ages.

Gradual discontinuation of hormone therapy does not prevent the reappearance of climacteric symptoms: a randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recurrence and severity of climacteric symptoms after two methods of discontinuation of prolonged hormone therapy. DESIGN: Postmenopausal women treated with hormone therapy for more than 3 years and opting to discontinue therapy were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Hormone therapy was discontinued either abruptly (group 1) or gradually (group 2). Symptoms in both groups were monitored with the Greene climacteric scale at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: Ninety-one women aged 48 to 73 years (mean age 56.8 +/- 4.2 years) participated in the study. The mean therapy duration was 8.8 +/- 3.8 years. No differences were noted between the two groups regarding age at menopause, body mass index, reasons to start therapy, hormone therapy duration, type of regimen, and reasons cited for hormone treatment discontinuation. After cessation of therapy, a similar percentage of patients in each group resumed hormone therapy. Climacteric syndromes, specifically vasomotor dysfunction, were more severe in group 1 than in group 2 during the first 3 months after hormone therapy withdrawal. However, by 6 months vasomotor symptoms were worse in group 2. By 9 to 12 months, no difference was noted between groups. No differences were observed in the percentage of weight gain, vaginal bleeding, and atrophy after discontinuation of therapy by either method. CONCLUSIONS: Our specific regimen of gradual discontinuation of hormone therapy merely postponed, and neither prevented nor minimized, the reappearance of vasomotor symptoms, mood deterioration, and sexual dysfunction, and the resulting discomfort.