AB018. Postmenopausal sexual functioning

Objective: To describe sexual function of women in the late postmenopause and to investigate change from early postmenopause.

Methods: Cross sectional analysis of 2012/13 and longitudinal analysis from 2002/04 of the population based, Australian cohort of the Women’s Healthy Aging Project (WHAP), applying validated instruments: Short Personal Experience Questionnaire (SPEQ), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT).

Results: A total of 230 women responded in 2012/13 (follow up rate 53%). Among 49.8% were sexually active, the majority less than weekly. FSDS scores showed more distress for sexually active women (P<0.001). For 23 (23%) sexually active and for 5 (7%) inactive women the diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction could be made, based on SPEQ and FSDS scores. After adjustment, available partner, no history of depression, moderate compared to no alcohol consumption and better cognitive function score were significantly predictive for sexual activity. Compared to early postmenopause, 18% more women had ceased sexual activity. For women maintaining their sexual activity through to late postmenopause, SPEQ and FSDS scores had not changed significantly, but frequency of sexual activity had decreased and partner difficulties had increased.

Conclusions: In late postmenopause half of the women were sexually active. Most important predictors were partner availability and no history of depression. However, being sexually active or having a partner was associated with higher levels of sexual distress. Compared to early postmenopause, sexual function scores had declined overall, but were stable for women maintaining sexual activity.

Keywords: Postmenopause; sexual dysfunction; sexual activity