The relationship between a health-promoting lifestyle and sexual function in postmenopausal women
Golsa Sepehri Nejat, Zahra Karami, Sargol Shafiei, Arezoo Shayan, Seyedeh Zahra Masoumi, Leilli TapakBACKGROUND:
Menopause significantly affects women’s sexual health due to hormonal and physiological changes. This study explores the relationship between health-promoting lifestyles, particularly understudied dimensions such as self-actualization and health responsibility, and sexual function in postmenopausal women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This cross-sectional analytical study involved 410 postmenopausal women aged 45–51 years, recruited using convenience sampling from comprehensive health centers in Hamadan, Iran, during 2023–2024. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The HPLP-II assessed six dimensions (nutrition, physical activity, health responsibility, stress management, interpersonal support, and self-actualization), while the FSFI evaluated sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with significance set at
RESULTS:
Participants’ mean age was 47.99 ± 1.559 years. The mean HPLP-II score was 155.93 ± 17.02, indicating moderate adherence to health-promoting behaviors. The mean FSFI score was 5.44 ± 1.70, reflecting poor sexual function, particularly in orgasm, lubrication, and arousal. Duration of menopause positively correlated with sexual desire (
CONCLUSION:
Poor sexual function in postmenopausal women highlights the need for targeted interventions. Healthy nutrition significantly enhances sexual function, while psychological and social factors such as stress management and interpersonal support warrant further attention. Comprehensive programs, including nutritional guidance and counseling, could improve quality of life.