Physical activity and sexuality in perimenopausal women

To determine if there is a link between physical activity and sexual functioning in perimenopausal women, by comparing groups of women with low, moderate and high physical activity levels with regard to selected domains of their sexual functioning.

The research involved 400 healthy Polish women, aged 45-55 years. The final analysis encompassed 336 women who fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. The research tool was a two-part questionnaire. The first part covered the socio-economic status, patient history, and gynaecological-obstetric history. Part two consisted of an extended version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire long form, evaluating the level of physical activity over the last seven days, and the Female Sexual Function Index.

The mean age of the respondents was 50.56 ± 2.33 years. The analysis showed statistically significant differences between all the domains of physical activity and the FSFI of the studied women. In the group of women without sexual disorders, respondents with a low physical activity level in all questionnaire domains were the least numerous.

In perimenopausal women an association is seen between high levels of general physical activity and better sexual functioning.