A comparative Study on women's sexual functioning disorders before and after menopause

Sexual instinct which is the cause of numerous changes in one’s life could be influenced by numerous factors such as menopause and aging. This study was focused on comparison of women’s sexual functioning disorders before and after menopause. This is an analytic cross sectional study in which data related to before and after menopause sexual activities of 174 married women (living with their spouses), referring to health centers in Isfahan in 2003 was collected and investigated. Data was collected by a self constructed sexual dysfunction inventory in which reliability and validity were reached by content validity and α chorenbach index. Findings were analysed through descriptive and inferential (MC-Nemar) statistics. Findings showed that relative frequency of sexual functioning disorders in productive period was 38% and in menopausal period 72.4%. There was a significant association between sexual functioning disorders before and after menopausal period (P < 0.001). Frequency distribution of sexual functioning disorders in productive period of these women according to severity of disorders were: sexual desire disorder (49/2%), dyspareunia (34/3%), arousal dysfunction (26/8%), orgasmic dysfunction (23/8%), and vaginismus (16/4%). Frequency distribution of sexual functioning disorders in menopausal period of these women were: arousal dysfunction(75/3%), sexual disire disorder (62/6%), orgasmic dysfunction (56/3%), dyspareunia (34/9%) and vaginismus (15/8%). As revealed by the findings of the study,a high percentage of women experience sexual functioning disorders in productive and menopausal periods. Menopause can be a cause to occur, or continue these disorders. The role of health care professinals in conselling and education is emphasized.