Postmenopausal Women's Low Sexual Desire Reduces Quality-Of-Life

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 14 Jan 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Women with low levels of sexual desire, often associated with menopause, are more likely to be depressed and to suffer physical symptoms- including back pain, fatigue and memory problems-than women who report higher levels of desire, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.

A group of 1200 postmenopausal women, age 30 to 70, reported information about level of sexual desire and associated distress in relation to their physical and emotional well-being.

The research evaluated whether hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) affected physical health and mental and social functioning. In particular, and whether women who went through menopause by having their ovaries removed were disproportionately affected.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is characterized by low sexual desire accompanied by personal distress. Estimates put the prevalence of HSDD among US women at 9 to 26 percent, depending on the woman's age and menopausal status.

"Our research shows that HSDD is a significant and clinically relevant problem, and not a normal or inevitable part of the aging process. Women with HSDD experience health burdens similar to individuals with serious chronic conditions," said Dr. Biddle.

This will be discussed in a future issue of Value in Health, the official journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and outcomes Research.

Value in Health (ISSN 1098-3015) publishes papers, concepts, and ideas that advance the field of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research and help health care leaders to make decisions that are solidly evidence-based. The journal is published bi-monthly and has a regular readership of over 4,000 clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers worldwide.

ISPOR is a nonprofit, international organization that strives to translate pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research into practice to ensure that society allocates scarce health care resources wisely, fairly, and efficiently.

ISPOR

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