Tatjana Gazibara1, Selmina Nurkovic2, Nikolina Kovacevic2, Ilma Kurtagic2, Biljana Rancic2, Sanja Radovanovic2, Branislav Milosevic3, Milan Terzic2,3, Jelena Dotlic4,5. 1. Institute for Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, Belgrade, Serbia. 2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia. 3. Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Visegradska 26, Belgrade, Serbia. 4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, Serbia. drenadot@gmail.com. 5. Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Visegradska 26, Belgrade, Serbia. drenadot@gmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess factors associated with better sexual quality of life (QOL) in midlife period among women who are and are not sexually active. METHODS: Participants were 500 women aged 40-65 years from Belgrade, Serbia. Data were collected through general questionnaire (regarding socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, general medical, and gynecological history) in which one item investigated having partnered sexual activity (heterosexual intercourses). The sexual domain of the Utian Quality of Life Scale was used to assess the sexual QOL. The sexual QOL consisted of reflections on the satisfaction with frequency of sexual interactions, as well as sexual and romantic life in general. Higher scores indicated better sexual QOL. RESULTS: Most women were sexually active in midlife (81.6%). The mean sexual QOL score for the overall sample was 9.99 (range 3-15). The level of sexual QOL did not differ between sexually active and non-active women. Factors associated with better sexual QOL in sexually active menopausal women were being married or coupled, being physically active, having more children, having hot flushes, and not having tachycardia. Factors associated with better sexual QOL in sexually inactive menopausal women were drinking alcohol, being physically active, not having insomnia or skin rash. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual QOL among Serbian urban midlife women was good and did not differ between women who were sexually active and those who were not. Further studies are needed to determine in what manner women who are not sexually active in midlife achieve high level of satisfaction with their sexual QOL.
PURPOSE: To assess factors associated with better sexual quality of life (QOL) in midlife period among women who are and are not sexually active. METHODS:Participants were 500 women aged 40-65 years from Belgrade, Serbia. Data were collected through general questionnaire (regarding socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, general medical, and gynecological history) in which one item investigated having partnered sexual activity (heterosexual intercourses). The sexual domain of the Utian Quality of Life Scale was used to assess the sexual QOL. The sexual QOL consisted of reflections on the satisfaction with frequency of sexual interactions, as well as sexual and romantic life in general. Higher scores indicated better sexual QOL. RESULTS: Most women were sexually active in midlife (81.6%). The mean sexual QOL score for the overall sample was 9.99 (range 3-15). The level of sexual QOL did not differ between sexually active and non-active women. Factors associated with better sexual QOL in sexually active menopausal women were being married or coupled, being physically active, having more children, having hot flushes, and not having tachycardia. Factors associated with better sexual QOL in sexually inactive menopausal women were drinking alcohol, being physically active, not having insomnia or skin rash. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual QOL among Serbian urban midlife women was good and did not differ between women who were sexually active and those who were not. Further studies are needed to determine in what manner women who are not sexually active in midlife achieve high level of satisfaction with their sexual QOL.
Entities:
Keywords:
Menopause; Midlife women; Quality of life; Sexual activity
Authors: J S Carpenter; N F Woods; J L Otte; K A Guthrie; C Hohensee; K M Newton; H Joffe; L Cohen; B Sternfeld; R J Lau; S D Reed; A Z LaCroix Journal: Climacteric Date: 2015-10-30 Impact factor: 3.024
Authors: Wulf H Utian; Jeffrey W Janata; Sheryl A Kingsberg; Mark Schluchter; James C Hamilton Journal: Menopause Date: 2002 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 3.310
Authors: Janet S Carpenter; Ying Sheng; Caitlin Pike; Charles D Elomba; Jennifer S Alwine; Chen X Chen; James E Tisdale Journal: Womens Health (Lond) Date: 2022 Jan-Dec
Authors: Ying Sheng; Janet S Carpenter; Charles D Elomba; Jennifer S Alwine; Min Yue; Caitlin A Pike; Chen X Chen; James E Tisdale Journal: Womens Midlife Health Date: 2021-05-31