EVALUATION OF SEXUAL FUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate sexual function and quality of life in women with menopausal period.
Methods: 131 menopausal women (age: 60.81 years, Body Mass Index: 25.98 kg/m 2 ) participated in this study. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) were used to determine the sexual function and quality of life. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, normality te sts, and Spearman tests. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Results: According to the FSFI total score, 125 of 131 women (95.40%) had sexual dysfunction. All the sub scales and total scores of the FSFI and MENQOL were low. A negative and strong correlation was found between the FSFI and MENQOL total scores (rho= 0.827; p= 0.001).
Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction during menopausal period negatively affects the quality of life. It is important to provide sufficient support to women who are in the menopausal period in terms of management of sexual dysfunction.