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Midlife women's attributions for their sexual response changes.
P K Mansfield1, P B Koch, A M Voda
1Pennsylvania State University, 12 Sparks, University Park, PA 16802, USA. pkm@psu.edu
Health Care for Women International
|March 10, 2001
Summary
Midlife women experiencing sexual response changes often reported declines, attributing them to menopause and life events rather than partner relationships. A biopsychosocial approach is needed to understand women's sexuality.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Midlife women experience significant physiological and psychological changes.
- Sexual response is a complex aspect of women's health that can be affected by various factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in sexual response among midlife women.
- To explore the attributions women make for these sexual response changes.
- To examine the relationship between menopause, life circumstances, partner relationships, and sexual response.
Main Methods:
- The study analyzed data from the Midlife Women's Health Survey (MWHS).
- A sample of 280 mostly White, married, highly educated midlife women was included.
- Participants reported on changes in sexual response and their attributed causes.
Main Results:
- 40% of women reported changes in sexual response within the past year, with more reporting decrements than increases.
- Physical and emotional changes of menopause were the most common attributions for decrements.
- Life circumstances were frequently cited as reasons for increases in sexual response.
Conclusions:
- Sexual response changes in midlife women are influenced by a combination of biological (menopause) and psychosocial factors (life circumstances).
- Attributions for sexual decrements differ from those for sexual increases.
- A biopsychosocial perspective is essential for a comprehensive understanding of women's sexuality in midlife.