Marcos J Cuerva1, Daniel Gonzalez2, Marta Canals3, Borja Otero4, Jose Angel Espinosa5, Francisca Molero6, Levent M Senturk7, Nicolas Mendoza8. 1. Hospital Universitario La Paz, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: marxichos@hotmail.com. 2. Hospital Universitario Maternoinfantil de Canarias, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. 3. Clínica Perpetuo Socorro, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lleida, Spain. 4. Hospital Universitario Cruces, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bilbao, Spain. 5. Hospital Quironsalud San José, Dept. of Obstetrics, Madrid, Spain. 6. Institut de Sexologia de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 7. Istanbul University Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, IVF Unit, Istanbul, Turkey. 8. University of Granada, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Granada, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether actively addressing sexuality in a gynaecological consultation with menopausal patients improves the diagnosis of sexual problems. STUDY DESIGN: A multi-centre analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at 12 Spanish hospitals. In gynaecological consultations the usual medical histories were taken, except that, initially, issues relating to sexuality were omitted, unless the patients raised them. Then, after 5min, gynaecologists offered the possibility of talking about sexuality and asked about possible sexual problems. Main outcome measures Observed prevalence of sexual problems. RESULTS: A total of 256 postmenopausal women participated in the study. Of them, 12.1% reported a sexual problem during the first 5 minutes of the interview. The prevalence of patients with a sexual problem increased by 35.9% (from 12.1% to 48.0%) when they were asked about sexuality after 5min (p<0.0001). The main factors associated with having a sexual problem were genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and having a stable sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS: Asking postmenopausal women about sexuality in gynaecological consultations is an important tool that increases the number of diagnoses of sexual problems. Gynaecologists should routinely ask about sexuality.
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether actively addressing sexuality in a gynaecological consultation with menopausal patients improves the diagnosis of sexual problems. STUDY DESIGN: A multi-centre analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at 12 Spanish hospitals. In gynaecological consultations the usual medical histories were taken, except that, initially, issues relating to sexuality were omitted, unless the patients raised them. Then, after 5min, gynaecologists offered the possibility of talking about sexuality and asked about possible sexual problems. Main outcome measures Observed prevalence of sexual problems. RESULTS: A total of 256 postmenopausal women participated in the study. Of them, 12.1% reported a sexual problem during the first 5 minutes of the interview. The prevalence of patients with a sexual problem increased by 35.9% (from 12.1% to 48.0%) when they were asked about sexuality after 5min (p<0.0001). The main factors associated with having a sexual problem were genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and having a stable sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS: Asking postmenopausal women about sexuality in gynaecological consultations is an important tool that increases the number of diagnoses of sexual problems. Gynaecologists should routinely ask about sexuality.
Authors: Helena Harder; Rachel M L Starkings; Lesley J Fallowfield; Usha Menon; Ian J Jacobs; Valerie A Jenkins Journal: Menopause Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 2.953