Abstract: Introduction: Hormonal changes during menopause influence sexual desire, arousal, and orgasmic response. Healthcare providers must adopt a holistic approach to manage the effects of menopause.
Method: Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index, a questionnaire comprising 19 items. Sociodemographic data such as age, education, marital status, employment status, smoking habits, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and menopausal status were surveyed, and their effects on sexual functions were analyzed. The two groups were compared using the multiple chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. At the same time, the impact of demographic data on sexual function was examined using Pearson correlation analysis.
Results: In the postmenopausal patient group, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was determined to be 83.4%, whereas it was 25.0% in the premenopausal group. The total Female Sexual Function Index score was 14.2±6.3 in the postmenopausal group, compared to 27.8±6.0 in the premenopausal group (p<0.01). Upon examining the Female Sexual Function Index sub-scores, it was found that the scores for desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were significantly lower in the postmenopausal group (p<0.01).
Conclusion: In conclusion, menopause exerts a profound impact on female sexual function through a complex interplay of hormonal, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. Addressing these multifaceted influences requires a multidisciplinary approach.
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