A qualitative study on the unmet sexual needs of older women

Sexual health in older women is one of the significant aspects of health, and planning to improve sexual health requires identifying these women's needs. This study was conducted to explain older women's unmet sexual needs. The present study was conducted qualitatively using the inductive content analysis method in 2023. The data collection tools were semi-structured interviews and field notes. A total of 29 individuals (seven sexual health care providers and 22 older women) were recruited as participants using the purposive method and the strategy of selecting participants with maximum diversity. Data were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. Data analysis led to the emergence of 110 primary codes, 24 sub-subcategories, and eight subcategories (promoting sexual requests and desires, maintaining privacy in sexual relations, valuing sexuality, adopting strategies to reduce life's adversities, improving sexual involvement, the ability to resolve the conflicts of maternal/spousal roles, the development of preventive services related to sexuality issues in the health sector, the development of therapeutic services related to sexuality issues in the treatment sector), and three main categories (respect for sexuality, empowerment for sexuality, and the development of services related to sexual health). Based on older women's experiences, their unmet needs were related to empowering them to resolve sexual conflicts, strengthening sexuality dignity, and improving the processes and structures of the health system. In this regard, it is recommended that health and social policymakers design effective interventions to improve older women's sexual health.