Abstract

Objective: To identify the factors affecting the adaptation of women to sexual life during the postmenopausal period.

Materials and methods: The study sample comprised 113 volunteer postmenopausal women who visited the Çanakkale State Hospital Bone Densitometer Unit between March 2007 and July 2007. A questionnaire investigating their sociodemographic and obstetric characteristic and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were completed. 

Results: The mean total FSFI scale score of 57.5% of the women was poor (<23). Increasing age, duration of menopause, and anxiety of the women’s partners adversely affected the sexual function of women. 

Conclusion: Education programs for menopausal women and their partners on improving sexual health need to be implemented, and further research should examine the factors affecting behaviors that improve sexual health.