Longitudinal study of menopause and sexuality

Longitudinal study of the menopause and sexuality involves many problems that may account for the small number of such studies. In seeking subjects, the mention of sexuality is best delayed until the initial interview when subjects can be informed of the strict confidentiality of the data and be assured that having a sex partner is not a requirement for participation. It is best if subjects are required to be early perimenopausal with regular menstrual cycles but with a change in cycle length and/or flow. Important demographic variables of interest are ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, health, and partner status. Subjects who have had reproductive surgery or use medications likely to affect sexuality are properly excluded from study or studied as a separate group. Measures include daily calendars for prospective recording of menstruation and sexual behavior as well as repeated questionnaires assessing menopausal symptoms and sexuality; questionnaires should be designed to obtain data concerning sexual interest, sexual attractiveness, and sexual response. It is desirable to measure sex hormone levels at regular intervals if possible. Technological advances have added new and better methods of data collection and have increased the chance of getting accurate prospective data. Nonetheless a good relationship with the investigator is important in obtaining subject co-operation and avoiding attrition. Future studies need to attempt to collect data from sex partners of subjects as well as explore the effects of different sex hormone products and regimens on sexual attractiveness, sexual interest, and sexual response.