Severity of climacteric symptomatology related to depression and sexual function in women from a private clinic.

Abstract

Introduction: The climacteric is a natural transition stage in women, in which hormonal changes occur that affect the physical and psychological well-being. Therefore, the objective was to determine the relationship of the severity of climacteric symptomatology with depression and sexual function in women.

Materials and methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a sample of 60 women between 40 and 65 years old. The Female Sexual Function Questionnaire-2, the Menopause Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were used.

Results: The mean age of the women was 49.1 ±5.6 years. 21.7% of the women had severe depression, 28.3% moderate, and 50% mild/minimal. Changes in sleep habits (1.73 ±0.88) and in appetite (1.63 ±0.73) were the most severe manifestations. Difficulty sleeping (1.05 ±0.99), physical and mental fatigue (1.48 ±0.98), and vaginal sequelae (1.45 ±1.26) were the most serious complaints in the somatic, psychological, and urogenital domains, respectively. 60% presented severe sexual dysfunction regarding genital pain and 55% in vaginal penetration. Communicating sexual preferences to the partner was common in 75% of women. 88.3% had frequent sexual activity, but 63.3% had zero or low sexual satisfaction.

Conclusions: Climacteric symptomatology is related to depression but not to women's sexual function.