The impact of anxiety on sexual satisfaction in menopausal women

Abstract

Purpose:This study was carried out in order to determine the anxiety levels of menopausal women on their sexual satisfaction.Method and material:This descriptive study. The study was carried out at a menopause clinic of a state hospital between June and August 2011. Data were collected by questionnaire: the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory.     Results:The mean age of the participants was 49.2±7.6 years old and nearly half of the women 46-50 age group. Half of the women in our sample had a chronic disease, 46.4% of women had sexual intercourse twice a week and 85.1% of them were housewives.  In our research it was found that the women’s sexual satisfaction was low, and their state anxiety levels were moderate level. There was a moderate positive correlation between the women’s sexual satisfaction scores and their anxiety levels. Increased levels of both state and trait anxiety in women reduces their sexual satisfaction. Conclusion:In this study, it was shown that women’s anxiety levels were middle and their sexual satisfactions were decreased during menopause. For this reason menopausal women’s should recommended give information about sexual and psychological consultancy services.