Sexual problems in postmenopausal women and coping methods

Abstract

Although sexual problems are prevalent in postmenopausal women, only a few women seek medical help for the problems they experience. This research was conducted as a descriptive study to identify the problems that women have in their sexual lives in the postmenopausal period and the methods they use to cope with these problems. The research sample was comprised of 309 women who were registered at a primary health care center in the city of Ankara, Turkey, who were between 45 and 65 years old, married, in menopause and sexually active. The data were collected with a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. The women filled in the questionnaire themselves. It was determined that 80 % of the women experienced a decrease in frequency of sexual intercourse, 68 % in sexual desire, and 62 % in enjoying sexual intercourse after menopause. It was found that 87.4 % of the women experienced problems in their sexual relationships. During sexual intercourse 42.4 % of the women experienced vaginal dryness, 30.1 % pain, 24.9 % burning and 4.5 % bleeding problems. The majority of the women did not do anything to solve their problems of vaginal dryness, pain, burning and bleeding. The health care professionals who work in menopause clinics should examine the sexual problems in postmenopausal women. Sex counseling services need to be integrated into menopausal care programs and include information and education about the sexual life after menopause, potential sexual problems in postmenopausal women and their husbands, causes and methods of solving them.