The impact of perimenopause on the quality of sex life

Abstract The present study examined the impact that women perceive on their quality of sexual life in the context of hormonal changes that occur from the onset of perimenopause to postmenopause. Women (N = 42) were assessed using a questionnaire inspired by quality of life scales adapted to aspects of the quality, frequency, and satisfaction of sexual intercourse. My predictions were that perimenopause, the transition period to the actual entry into menopause, negatively impacts the quality of sexual life that continues concurrently with the advancement of this stage of women's hormonal life. The results indicate that there is a statistical difference in the following variables for the quality of sexual life: Arousal: (H = 17.204, p = 0.001), Lubrication: (H = 14.434, p = 0.002), Pain: (H = 7.882, p = 0.049), Satisfaction: (H = 10.834, p = 0.013), Orgasm: (H = 7.535, p = 0.057). At the end of the paper I address the implications of these results, the limitations of the present study and propose improvements for future studies. Keywords: stress, sexual desire, sources of stress, sexual performance, sexual activity