Journal des soins de santé des femmes
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"Aging, Illness, or Menopause?": Exploring Perceptions, Needs and Sexual Behaviors during Menopause

Chithramali Hasanthika Rodrigo1*, Ruwan Ferdinando2, Rohini Seneviratne3

Menopause is a transitional period for women and is associated with changes in sexual desire, response, and behavior. A woman’s response to sexual changes of menopause is likely to be affected by socio-cultural norms and awareness. Little is known about how Sri Lankan women perceive and respond to these changes. This study explored how menopausal women perceive sexual changes during menopause, their impact on wellbeing, help seeking behaviors, and related needs. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with sixteen post-menopausal women purposively selected out of a group of women who had reported distress due to sexual symptoms of menopause during a previous survey. Data was thematically analyzed, and we identified four main themes; ‘passive acceptance’ (acceptance that symptoms were due to aging or illness); ‘information needs’ (lack of awareness on sexual problems of menopause and treatments); ‘avoidance or tolerance’ (responding with avoidance or silent tolerance towards sexual advances of partner due to decreased desire and painful intercourse); and ‘unmet treatment needs’. This study suggests that majority of Sri Lankan women attribute the changes in reproductive system during menopause to natural aging and were not enthusiastic to seek information or treatment. However, some women were concerned about overcoming discomforts during sexual intimacy and needed information and treatment. We recommend awareness creation through trained field health staff as an initial step to fulfilling this unmet need.