Assessing sexual function in middle-aged sexually active Spanish women: a community-based study focusing on the intimate partner

• Published in: Menopause (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 28; no. 6; pp. 686 - 692
• Main Authors: Martínez-Madrid, Maria M., Arnau-Sánchez, José, González-Cuello, Ana M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-06-2021
• ISSN: 1530-0374; 1530-0374
• DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001745

This study evaluated sexual function, the influence of the relationship with the intimate partner, and the factors related to sexual function in middle-aged Spanish women.
The methodology entailed a cross-sectional study of 187 sexually active women aged 40-59 years. The participants were randomly recruited from primary public health care. They completed the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6), the short-form Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed.
The participants' median age was 49 years, 90.4% had a steady intimate partner, 54.5% were postmenopausal, 43.3% had chronic diseases, 12.3% reported alcohol abuse, and 35.8% smoked. The prevalence of low sexual function was 33.16% in all the women, and 44.12% in the postmenopausal women (an FSFI-6 total score ≤ 19 reflects low sexual function). WAST screening detected 17.65% cases of intimate partner violence (WAST total score ≤ 1), with low sexual function in 87.9%. Multiple linear regression analysis models revealed that the lowest total FSFI-6 scores (worst sexual function) were negatively associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, hysterectomy, and associated female issues. The scores in the FSFI-6 domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) were linked to IPV (P < 0.001), except for lubrication (P < 0.001 postmenopausal).
Low sexual function was more common in women who were positively screened for IPV. It was identified as a key factor, which contributes to deteriorating middle-aged women's sexual health.