Abstract

PECHORRO, Pedro; DINIZ, António  and  VIEIRA, Rui. Funcionamento sexual e ciclo-de-vida em mulheres portuguesas. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.4, pp.665-681. ISSN 0870-8231.

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in sexual function across the life span in a sample of Portuguese women, and the prevalence of sexual problems. The study consisted of a sample of 154 Portuguese women (range 26 to 70 years), divided into three groups according to their ages: 26-35 years (n=66), 40-49 years (n=45), and 54-70 years (n=43). The evaluation was carried out with two self-report questionnaires: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI; Rosen et al., 2000), with it’s domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain, and with the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS; Hudson et al., 1981), that measures couple sexual satisfaction. No differences were found between the 26-35 years group and the 40-49 years group regarding the FSFI and it’s domains, and the ISS. When comparing the first two groups with the 54-70 years group statistically significant differences were found in the FSFI total score and in it’s domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction; no differences were found in the pain domain. Statistically significant differences were also found in the ISS total score. There is a significant decline in female sexual function and in sexual satisfaction associated with older age and menopause.

Keywords : Female sexuality; Life span; Sexual function; Sexual satisfaction.

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