The Effect of EX-PLISSIT Model-Based Sexual Counseling in Postmenopausal Women

The Effect of EX-PLISSIT Model-Based Sexual Counseling on Perceptions of Sexuality, Sexual Quality of Life, and Sexual Satisfaction in Postmenopausal Women

The study will be conducted in two groups as counseling and control. Participants will be approached at the Public Education Center. After postmenopausal women are evaluated according to eligibility criteria, those who are eligible will be informed about the research and written informed consent will be obtained from those who agree. Random assignment of women to the study groups will be carried out using randomization.

This study aimed to determine the effects of sexual counseling based on the EX-PLISSIT model on sexual quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and perceptions of sexuality in postmenopausal women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Postmenopausal, defined as having had no menstrual periods or vaginal bleeding in the last 12 months,
• Under 65 years of age,
• Married,
• Having entered menopause naturally,
• Able to understand, speak, and read Turkish.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women with diagnosed conditions that may significantly affect sexual quality of life (such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, pulmonary diseases, cancer types, psychiatric disorders, or a history of neurological stroke),
• Women using medications known to negatively affect sexual function (including psychotropic drugs, cardiac and antihypertensive medications, anticonvulsants, opioids, antinarcotics, H2-receptor antagonists, and antihistamines),
• Those who have previously received or are currently receiving hormone replacement therapy,
• Those with a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction in themselves or their partners,
• Those who have experienced major stressful life events (such as an accident, trauma, or the death or severe illness of a close relative) within the three months prior to the study,
• Women with a serious impairment that affects their ability to complete data collection forms,
• Not willing to participate in the study.