Effects of lifestyle on sexual function among postmenopausal women

Abstract

Background: A healthy lifestyle has a key role in reducing health problems. Since one of the most common problems in Postmenopausal women has been sexual dysfunction (SD). The specific purpose of the present study was to identify the effects of health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) on sexual function among postmenopausal women.Methods: The present cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted on 405 Postmenopausal women aged 45–60 years, using the convenience sampling method.Data collection was done using three questionnaires of demographic, health-promoting lifestyle profile-II (HPLP-II) and female sexual function index (FSFI). Data were analyzed in the SPSS-16 using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The statistical significance level was regarded as less than 0.05.Results: In general, the result of this study identified a 68% prevalence of SD among participants. The mean score obtained from the HPLP II was 2.27 (SD = 0.42), the highest score of its sub-scales was spiritual growth and the lowest score was physical activity.The mean score of FSFI among the studied women was 23.16 (SD = 0.29), the highest score of six sub-scales was satisfaction and the lowest score was lubrication among participants. A strong correlation was found between the total FSFI scores, and spiritual growth (r=0.048), interpersonal relations (r=0.02), stress management (r=0.000), (p<0.0001).Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that a healthy lifestyle affects sexual function. Given that a healthy lifestyleis one of the most important ways to help women overcome SD, a healthy lifestyle promoting interventions necessary forPostmenopausal women.Keywords: Lifestyle; Postmenopausal Women; Sexual Function.