Sexual in Menopausal Women Comparing
Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
Saipin Pongsatha MD*,
Nuntana Morakot BSc*, Somsak Chaovisitsaree MD*
Affiliation :
* Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Objective : To compare aspects of sexual function between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Material and Method: One hundred forty women, 70 perimenopausal women and 70 postmenopausal patients in the
menopause clinic were interviewed at a first visit regarding aspects of sexual function compared between now and during
the previous one-year period. All data were compared between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Main outcome measure: The following sexual function including sexual thoughts / fantasies, sexual desire, frequency of
sexual intercourse, sexual excitement during sex, moisture in vagina during sex, amount of vaginal lubrication during sex,
pain or discomfort during sex, vaginal stretching / flexibility during sex, intensity of orgasm during sex, sexual appeal in
client’s opinion, overall sexual satisfaction and sexually related anxiety were compared between groups.
Results : The mean age ( SD) of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women were 49.4 ( 3.0) years and 52.2 ( 2.8) years
respectively in which there was no significant difference. Most women in both groups had sexual intercourse one to four
times per month. There was statistically significant difference between groups in the following aspects, sexual thoughts/
fantasies, sexual desire, frequency of sexual intercourse, sexual excitement during sex, moisture in vagina during sex, amount
of vaginal lubrication during sex. All items had a negative impact on sexual function but a higher impact was found in
postmenopausal women. However, sexually related anxiety was unchanged in both and no significant difference was detected.
Conclusion : Some sexual functions were significantly impaired in postmenopausal compared to perimenopausal women.
However, the overall sexual satisfaction and sexually related anxiety were unchanged in postmenopausal women. So sexual
problems are present but are not considered the most important problem among Thai women.
Keywords : Sexual function, Perimenopausal women, Postmenopausal women
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