The association between day-to-day impact of vaginal aging and female sexual function.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between the day-to-day impact of vaginal aging and female sexual function among postmenopausal Turkish women.

METHOD: The McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) and the Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging (DIVA) questionnaire were distributed to 195 postmenopausal women. The most bothersome vulvovaginal symptoms were recorded. The scores for each of the MFSQ and DIVA domains were compared between women with moderate to severe symptoms and those with no or mild symptoms.

RESULTS

The mean scores for the MFSQ sexual interest and MFSQ partner satisfaction domains, the total MFSQ, and the total DIVA decreased as women got older. Women with moderate to severe pain with penetration had a lower score for the MFSQ sexual interest domain, and a higher score for the DIVA self-concept and body image domain. Women with moderate to severe dryness had a higher score for the MFSQ sexual interest domain, and a lower score for the DIVA self-concept and body image domain.

CONCLUSION

The mean scores of each of the MFSQ and DIVA domains were not influenced by vulvovaginal symptoms such as itching, pain, and irritation. The mean scores of the MFSQ sexual interest and DIVA self-concept and body image domains differed with the severity of dryness and pain with penetration.