Risk factors of sexual dysfunctions in postmenopausal women

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Objectives: Both somatic and psychosocial factors influence women’s sexual functioning. The main objective of the conducted research was to determine the risk factors of sexual dysfunctions in women during the postmenopausal period. Material and methods: The researcher studied 666 women between the ages of 45–65 (M = 54.96 } 5.42), who had their last period no later than 12 months prior. Standardised questionnaires were used to study: sexual functions (FSFI), intensity of menopausal symptoms (KI), level of depression (BDI), body esteem (BES), health behaviours (HBI). Results: Sexual dysfunctions were diagnosed in 33.03% of the studied women. The respondents with dysfunctions differed from the respondents without dysfunctions in terms of: age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), material standing (p < 0.01), relationship status (p < 0.001), body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.05), self-assessment of health state (p < 0.001), presence of chronic diseases (p < 0.05), sexual functioning (p < 0.001), intensity of menopausal symptoms (p < 0.001), level of depression (p < 0.001), body self-esteem (p < 0.001), health behaviours (p < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated (R2 = 0.24) that the higher the sense of sexual attractiveness, the lower the probability of sexual dysfunctions (B = –0.13; p < 0.001). In turn, the risk increases with age (B = 0.06; p < 0.001), intensity of menopausal symptoms (B = 0.04; p < 0.01) and concern about one’s own body weight (B = 0.04; p < 0.05). Living without a partner (as compared with living in an informal relationship) increases the risk of occurrence of sexual dysfunctions by as much as 129%. Conclusions: Crucial risk factors of sexual dysfunctions in women during the postmenopausal period include: age, relationship situation, intensity of menopausal symptoms, sense of sexual attractiveness and concern about body weight.