Factors Influencing Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Married Women

Kim, Hye Young; Ko, Eun

doi:2016.22.4.287

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 22(4); 2016 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2016;22(4):287-296.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2016.22.4.287 Published online December 27, 2016.

Factors Influencing Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Married Women

Hye Young Kim, Eun Ko

¹College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea.
²Department of Nursing, College of Life Science and Natural Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Korea. eunko@sunchon.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study identified the level of marital intimacy, menopausal symptom and sexual function, and examined factors affecting sexual function in postmenopausal married women.
METHODS
With cross-sectional survey, a sample of 245 subjects aged 45 to 60 years was recruited from January to March, 2014. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires which included marital intimacy questionnaire (MIQ), menopause rating scale (MRS), and female sexual function index (FSFI). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
Marital intimacy, menopausal symptom and sexual function scores of subjects were 3.46±1.14, 13.71±6.61, and 12.55±8.33, respectively. Marital intimacy and menopausal symptom were related to sexual function. Variables including marital intimacy, psychosocial and urogenital menopausal symptom, period since menopause and body mass index therapy explained 51.5% in sexual function of participants.
CONCLUSION
When nurses plan sexual counseling and education for sexual function of postmenopausal married women, it is necessary to consider marital intimacy, menopausal symptoms, and menopause-related factors.

Key Words: Postmenopause; Women; Marriage; Symptom; Sexual function