Determinants of Sexual Dysfunction in Middle-Aged Women
Women; Aging; Menopause; Sexuality
Objective: To assess the determinants of sexual dysfunction in middle-aged women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 370 middle-aged women (40-65 years old), assisted in a public health care facility in a Brazilian city. We used a questionnaire containing enquiries on sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics, the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), the BKMI (Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index), the IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and the quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref). Data analysis was carried out using relative frequencies and percentage of variables, followed by the Pearson's chi-square test and a logistic regression analysis. Results: 67% of the women studied exhibited sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.55). Women in the oldest age group (56-65 years) (p<0.001), divorced/separated (p<0.001), hysterectomized (p=0.016), sedentary (p=0.006), with strong climacteric symptoms (p<0.001) and low quality of life (p<0.001) presented a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Logistic regression showed that the eldest group of women (55 to 65), with the strongest climacteric manifestations and lowest quality of life, were most likely to develop sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is substantially influenced by sociodemographic, biological and behavioral variables