Evaluation of selected aspects of mental and sexual life in perimenopausal women

Perimenopausal period is often connected with disorders of mental condition and sexual activity in women. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected aspects of mental and sexual life in perimenopausal women with the use of an individually developed Middle-Aged Questionnaire. A group of 230 women in the climacteric period were subjected to an analysis. The criteria of qualification for the investigated group included: patient’s medical history, which revealed climacteric symptoms and the age of women (45–60 years). The patients were divided into four groups depending on the moment of the menopause occurrence. The research tool was an individually developed questionnaire consisting of: Blatt-Kupperman’s Index, Beck Depression Scale, GDS, Zung Depression Scale, Sexual Disorders Scale for Women by Lew-Starowicz and questions about intimate life. The research showed the intensification of depressive disorders in the perimenopausal period. There was a decrease of sexual activity, libido and frequency of sexual intercoursse in climacteric women. Depressive mood disorders were revealed in 39.1% of investigated women while sexual disorders in 31% of them. The main reasons for sexual disorders were: reduced interest in sexual life, feeling of decrease of own attraction, dyspareunia. The clinical scales are useful tools for diagnosing depression and sexual disorders in screening. The Middle-Aged Questionnaire is a good work tool, which is helful in early diagnosis of mental and sexual disorders and it allows monitoring their course and prevention.