Association between depressed mood and sexual function among mid-aged Paraguayan women

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Mental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Depressive symptoms and sexual dysfunction are common in mid-life women.
• A bidirectional relationship exists between depression and sexual problems.
• Limited data exists on this association in Paraguayan women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between depressed mood and sexual dysfunction risk in mid-aged women.
• To provide data from a Paraguayan population on female mid-life sexuality and mental health.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed 193 sexually active women aged 40-60 in Asunción, Paraguay.
• The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) were used.
• Multivariable Poisson regression analyzed the association between depressed mood (CESD-10 ≥ 10) and sexual dysfunction risk (FSFI-6 ≤ 19).

Main Results:

• 21.8% of women reported depressed mood, and 28.5% had an increased risk of sexual dysfunction.
• Women with depressed mood were twice as likely to experience sexual dysfunction (aPR = 2.14).
• Depressed mood was associated with a 20% lower mean FSFI-6 score.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between depressed mood and increased sexual dysfunction risk in mid-aged Paraguayan women.
• Findings underscore the importance of addressing mental health to improve sexual well-being in this demographic.
• Further research is warranted to explore underlying mechanisms and interventions.