The Effect of Sexual Health Education Given to Women in the Postmenopausal Period on Sexual Life

The Effect of Sexual Health Education Given to Women in the Postmenopausal Period on Sexual Life

With this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of sexual health education given to women in the postmenopausal period on sexual myths, sexual distress and sexual quality of life.

Type of Research The study was planned as a parallel group (experiment-control) randomized controlled trial.

Establishment of the Study Group: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was applied to the women who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinics of Karaman Training and Research Hospital to determine the study group, and the women who accepted to participate in the study in accordance with the sample selection criteria were applied to the study. General information about the study will be given and general consent will be taken for participation in the research. Then, the Individual Information Form, Sexual Myths Scale (SMS), Female Sexual Distress Scale (Revised- FSDS-R) and Sexual Life Quality Scale-Female (SILK-F) was applied. In accordance with the sample size determined by power analysis, the experimental and control groups were randomly assigned.

blinding Since it is not possible to blind the experimental and control groups in the study, only statistical blinding applied.

Application Steps of the Research Researcher; By introducing themselves to the experimental and control groups, verbal and written information was given about the subject of the research and the steps to be followed. Then, among the women determined by the researcher in accordance with the sample selection criteria, applications were made to the women who were allocated to the experimental group by randomization, and no intervention was made to those who were allocated to the control group.

For the Experimental Group; Sexual Health Education Program The women in the experimental group were given training in line with the "Sexual Health Education Manual for Postmenopausal Women" prepared by the researchers. The training plan of the research is as follows.

Education Plan (Sexual Health Education) Session Subject

1. Female reproductive organs (Female internal and external reproductive organs and sexual anatomy), Male reproductive organs and sexual anatomy Definitions related to sexuality and sexual health (sexuality, sexual health, sexual intimacy, sexual intercourse, sexual behaviors, sexual function, sexual dysfunction)
2. Sexual myths and taboos, sexual distress, sexual quality of life Female sexual function physiology and sexual response cycle, female sexual dysfunctions
3. Definition of menopause, classification of menopause, factors affecting menopause, the effect of menopause on sexual life, changes in the postmenopausal period and its effect on sexual life
4. Recommendations about changes in the postmenopausal period and sexual problems Kegel exercises, masturbation exercises

For the Control Group; Control Group: No intervention was made after the pre-tests were applied to the control group women. However, after the post-tests were applied, a sexual health education and training booklet was given to the control group, taking into account the right to be informed in terms of ethics.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Literate,
• Able to communicate verbally,
• Turkish speaking,
• No hearing or vision loss,
• Voluntarily participated in the research,
• Postmenopausal period,
• Natural menopause,
• no sexual dysfunction,
• be less than 65 years old,
• good sexual function

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Early menopause (before age 40)
• A chronic systemic disease and/or a psychiatric health problem
• Any sexual education before or during work
• Sexual dysfunction