Sexual Activity and Health in Finnish Middle-Aged Women
Author Information
Author(s): Ansa Ojanlatva, Juha Mäkinen, Hans Helenius, Katariina Korkeila, Jari Sundell, Päivi Rautava
Primary Institution: University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Hypothesis
How are sexual experiences and perceived health associated with negative attitudes toward self and performance impairment in middle-aged women?
Conclusion
Negative attitudes toward self and performance impairment are closely linked to orgasm experiences, highlighting the need for more active discussions about sexual activity in healthcare settings for perimenopausal women.
Supporting Evidence
- Women with good perceived health reported higher frequencies of sexual and orgasm experiences.
- Negative attitudes toward self were associated with lower sexual and orgasm experiences.
- Strenuous exercise was linked to orgasm experiences in younger women but not in older women.
Takeaway
This study shows that how women feel about themselves and their health can affect their sexual experiences, especially during menopause.
Methodology
The study used a questionnaire mailed to a random sample of menopausal women, analyzing associations between sexual activity, perceived health, and various psychological and physical factors.
Potential Biases
Potential response bias due to self-reported data and the voluntary nature of participation.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent all demographics of Finnish women, as there was a slight overrepresentation of women in the sample.
Participant Demographics
Menopausal or soon-to-be menopausal women aged 42-56 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website