The changing nature of women's sexual health concerns through the midlife years

Objective: Information about the sexual health care needs for midlife women is limited. This study compares and contrasts the nature and prevalence of sexual concerns for women as they progress through life and into menopause and the interest and experience these women have in discussing sexual concerns with their physicians. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 2073 eligible women at military medical clinics in the early 1990s. Main outcome measures are self-reported sexual concerns and interest and experience in discussing these concerns with their physicians. Results: Over 98% of women reported one or more sexual concerns. Type and intensity of sexual concerns changed as women aged. Most women had not had the topic of sexual health ever raised by their physicians. Conclusions: The sexual health concerns of women change as they age. Women desire to address their sexual health care needs with their physicians. Physicians should be aware of the common sexual concerns of women, and be comfortable in initiating discussion to address them. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.