1 Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
2 Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation (CWHRI), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2019 Jan;28(1):100-106. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2018.7107. Epub 2018 Oct 10.
Women often undergo physical changes during the menopause transition, but the relationship between body image and sexual function in midlife is unclear. We used a qualitative approach to explore how body image relates to sexual function and satisfaction in midlife women.
We conducted 19 individual interviews and 3 focus groups (total N = 39) among sexually active women 45-60 years of age using a semistructured guide. Sessions were audiorecorded and transcribed. Two investigators developed a codebook using an iterative process; the primary investigator then coded all data. Codes relating to body image were examined to identify key themes.
The mean age was 58 (range 46-59); 54% were White, 36% Black, and 10% were of another race. Most (72%) were peri- or postmenopausal. All but two women identified as heterosexual. Feeling attractive was an important reason for sexual activity. Changes in appearance, especially weight gain and breast changes, were common among these women. Women's body image impacted their sexual satisfaction; women who felt self-conscious about their bodies reported that these concerns had a negative impact on their sexual satisfaction, whereas women who felt confident discussed better sexual satisfaction, even in the face of bodily changes. Black women were more likely to discuss feeling confident than White women.
Feeling attractive is important to sexual satisfaction in midlife women. Bodily changes, especially weight gain, are common during midlife. While many women are self-conscious about their appearance, some women develop increased self-acceptance. Supporting positive body image may help midlife women maintain sexual satisfaction with aging.
女性在更年期过渡期间经常会经历身体变化，但身体形象与中年女性的性功能之间的关系尚不清楚。我们采用定性方法来探讨身体形象与中年女性的性功能和性满意度之间的关系。
我们对 39 名年龄在 45-60 岁之间、有性生活的活跃女性进行了 19 次个人访谈和 3 次焦点小组（总计 N=39），使用半结构化指南进行。会议进行了录音和转录。两位研究人员使用迭代过程制定了代码本；然后，主要研究员对所有数据进行了编码。检查与身体形象相关的代码，以确定关键主题。
平均年龄为 58 岁（范围 46-59 岁）；54%为白人，36%为黑人，10%为其他种族。大多数（72%）处于绝经前期或绝经后期。除了两名女性外，所有人都被认定为异性恋。感觉有吸引力是性行为的一个重要原因。外观变化，尤其是体重增加和乳房变化，在这些女性中很常见。女性的身体形象影响了她们的性满意度；对自己身体感到不自在的女性报告说，这些担忧对她们的性满意度产生了负面影响，而对自己有信心的女性则讨论了更好的性满意度，即使面对身体变化也是如此。黑人女性比白人女性更有可能感到自信。
感觉有吸引力对中年女性的性满意度很重要。身体变化，尤其是体重增加，在中年时期很常见。虽然许多女性对自己的外表感到不自在，但有些女性会逐渐接受自己。支持积极的身体形象可能有助于中年女性随着年龄的增长保持性满意度。
