Objectives: To examine the effects of sex education on sexual function in postmenopausal women.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried on 104 postmenopausal women, aged 40-60 years, residing in the cities of Chalus and Nowshahr, Iran. Their sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) intervention, in which the subjects received a sexual enhancement program with weekly follow-ups; and (2) controls, who received general educational material on postmenopause. Both groups were re-assessed after 12 weeks using the FSFI questionnaire.
Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, or their total scores of FSFI, in the initial stage of the study. After implementation of the sexual enhancement program, however, the total scores of sexual function, as well as the scores in the arousal and pain domains, were significantly higher in the intervention group, compared to the control group (24.41 vs. 22.70, 3.35 vs. 2.73, and 4.50 vs. 3.98, respectively).
Conclusion: Sexual function of postmenopausal women can be improved by a sexual enhancement program.
Keywords: Sexual function; postmenopause; sexual enhancement program.