Physical fitness, stress affect sexual interest in postmenopausal women

A holistic approach must be adopted in addressing postmenopausal sexual health in Asian women, suggests a recent study. Such approach includes promoting positive sexual values, improving physical fitness, and managing stress.

This cross-sectional study involved postmenopausal women attending a gynaecology or primary care clinic in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. The authors examined how interpersonal dynamics and cultural norms, such as sexual values and physical and mental health of women and their partners, influence menopausal sexual interest as measured by the Menopausal Sexual Interest Questionnaire.

Women reported an average sexual interest (mean score 32.8 out of 70 on the Menopausal Sexual Interest Questionnaire). In multivariate analysis, higher personal sexual values (odds ratio [OR], 2.65, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.26‒5.61) and spousal sexual values (OR, 2.68, 95 percent CI, 1.22‒5.86) predicted higher menopausal sexual interest.

Physical fitness of spouses also contributed significantly to menopausal sexual interest, with women who rated their spouses as very fit or fit (OR, 3.22, 95 percent CI, 1.15‒9.00) or moderately fit (OR, 2.63, 95 percent CI, 1.05‒6.63) having greater menopausal sexual interest than those whose spouses were very unfit or unfit.

In addition, women with normal stress levels (OR, 5.89, 95 percent CI, 1.03‒33.62) and mild-to-moderate stress levels (OR, 8.13, 95 percent CI, 1.53‒43.22) showed higher menopausal sexual interest.

“This study emphasizes a holistic approach to postmenopausal sexual health, highlighting the significance of promoting positive sexual values, improving physical fitness, and managing stress,” the authors said. “Healthcare providers should educate, counsel, and collaborate interdisciplinarily, ensuring culturally sensitive care tailored to individual needs.”