Exercise and sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women in Iran

Background an d

Several factors can affect the sexual function of women. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between exercise and sexual function in post-menopausal women.

This was a community-based، descriptive-analytical study including 405 post-menopausal women 40-65 years old selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling. The data were obtained through interviews using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests such as multiple linear regression and logistic regression models.

On the whole، 61% of the subjects had sexual dysfunction. The most common type of exercise was “walking” (79. 8%). For the women who exercised، the mean score in the domain of pain was significantly lower (worse) (p=0. 013). The total FSFI، lubrication and pain domains scores were significantly lower in the women who did exercises other than walking as compared to those who did not exercise or practiced only walking. The weekly exercise frequency had positive correlations with lubrication (r=0. 18، p=0. 014) and orgasm (r=0. 146، p=0. 045) domain scores. However، multiple regression analysis to determine predictors of total score of FSFI and the domains scores did not give any statistically significant results. Finally، the logistic regression test showed that one additional exercise session per week would result in reduction of chances of sexual dysfunction by 80. 2%.

Based on the findings، it may be concluded that exercise can be a w ay to compensate for sexual problems and dissatisfactions caused by reduced sex and sexuality in post-menopausal women. Exercising more frequently during the week could have positive effects on the sexual function of post-menopausal women.