Postmenopausal sexual dysfunction

Sexuality, sexual interaction and sexual activity do not end when a woman reaches a certain age. Sexual interaction does not necessarily mean intercourse and absence of orgasm does not necessarily mean dysfunction. Postmenopausal sexual dysfunction describes a wide range of symptoms which are multifactorial in origin. Learning objectives: To raise awareness that postmenopausal sexual activity is important and that a woman's sexual response is not the same as that of a man. To provide a framework for managing postmenopausal sexual dysfunction. Ethical issues: How to explore sensitively sexual interaction in the UK's increasingly culturally and spiritually diverse postmenopausal population. Please cite this article as: Cumming GP, Mauelshagen AE, Parrish MH. Postmenopausal sexual dysfunction. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2010;12:1–6.