Analysis of factors that influence the quality of sexual life of climacteric women in China.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to identify the factors associated with the sexual lives of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in China.

METHODS

A total of 426 participants were approached about this study from May 2012 to August 2013. In total, 252 cases were included in this study. One hundred and ninety-seven women who filled out the Quality of Sexual Life Questionnaire for Women (QSLQW) and the modified Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) had an active sexual life. Pearson's coefficient index was used to determine the correlation between the KMI and different domains of the QSLQW. Multivariable statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between different factors and the sexual life of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

RESULTS

When the participants reported a higher KMI, they suffered lower sexual satisfaction (r = -0.16, p = 0.035), more severe sexual anxiety (r = -0.367, p = 4.9 × 10), and less sexual response (r = -0.21, p = 0.004). No correlation was found between the KMI and sexual communication, sexual attitude, and self-image. Multivariable statistical analysis showed that menopause status and higher KMI scores are associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction among Chinese women (β = -9.76, 95% CI -16.89 to -2.64 and β = -0.41, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.15, respectively), and that the better the spousal relationship, the fewer deliveries and the higher the scores of sexual life quality (β = 8.86, 95% CI -0.91 to 18.63 and β = -6.65, 95% CI -11.83 to -1.48, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Factors including parity, spousal relationship, menopausal status, and menopausal symptoms are associated with the quality of sexual life of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in China.