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  • 2019
  • Many postmenopausal UK women have disappointing sex lives

Many postmenopausal UK women have disappointing sex lives

Less than a quarter of postmenopausal UK women are sexually active and only three per cent are happy with their sex life, according to a new study.

10 July 2019

Researchers at Sussex Health Outcomes, Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C), based at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), run by the universities of Brighton and Sussex, analysed free text comments made on a sexual activity questionnaire by more than 4,000 women taking part in an ovarian cancer screening trial, the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).

Four major classification themes were identified: partner availability, physical and sexual health, mental wellbeing and interpersonal relationships.

Despite 65 per cent of women having partners, findings showed that only around a third of these women were sexually active. Just 3 per cent referred to positive sexual experiences, yet only 6 per cent had sought help for their sexual problems.

The main reason for a lack of sexual activity was not having a partner, with around 1,000 of participants having been widowed. Health issues in later life were another factor – 27 per cent identified a partner’s medical condition and 13.5 per cent a partner’s sexual dysfunction as having an impact. Meanwhile 18 per cent identified their own physical health and 12.5 per cent identified menopause-related symptoms as affecting their sex life.

Dr Helena Harder, lead author of the paper and Research Fellow at BSMS, said: “Women spend a large part of their life postmenopausal, and a healthy sex life should be part of that, as we know that it contributes to overall wellbeing and happiness.

Dr Helena Harder

Dr Helena Harder

“Women may feel embarrassed about seeking help around sexual issues, and healthcare professionals may also be uncomfortable bringing this up this. But our results have identified a definite need for further training for healthcare professionals so they are better able to support postmenopausal women in overcoming barriers to a happy, healthy sex life.”

Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield, study lead and Professor of Psycho Oncology at BSMS, adds: “It is important to recognise the need for the partners to seek help too, as demonstrated by our research. Men can also feel ashamed to seek professional help and admit to having sexual difficulties, but this is imperative if couples want to achieve a happy and healthy sex life.”

The study was published on 10 July, 2019, in the journal Menopause.

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