[Sex behavior and vaginal flora in climacteric and postmenopausal females]

515 menopausal or postmenopausal women visiting the gynecologic clinic of a university hospital and having received no hormonal replacement therapy were screened for frequency of sexual intercourse and clinical symptoms typical for this period in life by a questionnaire. We found that a high percentage of women are still sexually active even with advanced age. It appeared that sex life is more intensive right after the menopause. A decrease of sexual intercourse after an age of 66 years and older seems to be secondary to the lack of a partner. Older women who remained sexually active had significantly more often a pathologic vaginal smear. We conclude that even in older women, when seen for consultation, it remains important to take into account possible sexual activity in regard to the diagnosis and therapy of vulvovaginitis.