Sexual Function of Postmenopausal Women and its Predictive Factors: A Community Based Study in Ilam, Iran, 2011

There have been some studies on sexual function of postmenopausal women. However، studies about its predictors are very limited. Due to the importance of this subject in health promotion، this study aimed to assess sexual function and its predictive factors in postmenopausal women living in Ilam، Iran. In this descriptive-correlational study، 400 postmenopausal married women who aged 50-59 years old and lived in Ilam، 2011، were studied in 80 randomly selected clusters. The participants were interviewed by a female interviewer using McCoy female sexuality questionnaire (MFSQ). Data was analyzed by student''s t-test and linear regression analysis in SPSS software version 18. 77 (19%) reported no sexual relation in the past month. Mean (standard deviation) scores of total sexual function was 53±29 from possible range score of 0 to 100، and in dimensions of sexual interest، satisfaction، vaginal lubrication، orgasm and sex partner were 43±27، 50±26، 52±33، 50±39 and 69±29، respectively. Based on the results of linear regression analysis، women with vasomotor symptoms (p<0. 001)، urine incontinence (p<0. 001)، chronic diseases (p=0. 01)، or insufficient family income (p=0. 01)، aged 55-59 (p=0. 01) and a history of divorce or death of a spouse (p=0. 04) and insufficient income (p=0. 01) had significantly lower score in total sexual function. Vasomotor symptoms، urine incontinence and aging were associated with all the 5 dimensions and the others were associated with 3-4 of the dimensions (p<0. 05). Education and occupation and duration of menopause were associated with none of the dimensions، as well as with total sexual function score (p>0. 05). Sexual problems including no sexual relations were common among the women. Having vasomotor symptoms، urine incontinence، chronic diseases، a history of divorce or death of a spouse and insufficient income were predictors of low sexual function.