Sexual Function and Quality of Life Among Postmenopausal Women

Authors

  • Fatema Binta Hossain Ali MPH Fellow, Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Mohakhali, Daka-1212, Bangladesh
  • Rubayath Sarmin Lecturer, Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh. Email: rsarmin09@gmail.com
  • Pretom Saha Surveillance Medical Officer (Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative), National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, Bangladesh
  • Ummul khair Alam Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Maternal and Child health, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
  • Sathi Dastider Associate Professor and Head, Department of Population Dynamics, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jopsom.v44i1.88191

Keywords:

Sexual function, quality of life, postmenopausal women, menopause, FSFI, MENQOL

Abstract

Background: Menopause is often accompanied by symptoms that disrupt physical, psychological, and sexual well-being. Sexual dysfunction is particularly common in postmenopausal women and may contribute to reduced quality of life. However, this relationship remains underexplored in many developing-country settings.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from January to December 2023. A total of 96 postmenopausal women attending the outpatient department were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and quality of life was evaluated with the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaire (MENQOL). Associations between FSFI total scores and MENQOL domain scores were examined using appropriate statistical tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Results:  The mean age of participants was 53.7 ± 4.7 (SD) years. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 53.2%, with the lowest FSFI domain scores in arousal (1.89 ± 0.5) and desire (2.25 ± 0.6). The mean total FSFI score was 14.14 ± 1.5. Poor QoL was reported by 56.2% of participants, with the highest impairment observed in vasomotor (3.1 ± 1.6) and sexual (2.02 ± 1.03) MENQOL domains. Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with joint family structure (p < 0.001) and poor marital relationship (p = 0.009). Poor QoL was significantly linked with lower educational attainment (p = 0.003), joint family setting (p = 0.011), and negative spousal relationship (p = 0.040).

Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction and impaired quality of life were highly prevalent among postmenopausal women of this study. Socio-demographic and relational factors significantly influenced both outcomes. Addressing sexual health as part of comprehensive menopausal care may improve women’s overall well-being and QoL in similar sociocultural settings.

JOPSOM 2025; 44(1): 54-63

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Published

2026-03-10

How to Cite

Ali, F. B. H., Sarmin, R., Saha, P., Alam, U. khair, & Dastider, S. (2026). Sexual Function and Quality of Life Among Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine, 44(1), 54–63. https://doi.org/10.3329/jopsom.v44i1.88191

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Fatema Binta Hossain Ali, Rubayath Sarmin, Pretom Saha, Ummul khair Alam, Sathi Dastider

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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