Effects of physical and depressive symptoms on the sexual life of Turkish women in the climacteric period

Objective: To assess the effects of physical and depressive symptoms on the sexual life of women in the climacteric period. Methods: This study was conducted with 572 women at a university hospital. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms, intensity of menopausal symptoms and sexual function. Results: Sexual dysfunction and depressive symptoms were determined in 86.4% and 54.9% of the women, respectively. In univariate analysis, women without health insurance, with low income, being married for longer than 21 years and being in menopause had low FSFI but high BDI and MRS scores. In multiple regression analysis, advanced age of women, women with low income, unemployed women, low educated women and their husbands and women with depressive symptoms had low FSFI scores. There was a negative relationship between total FSFI and MRS and BDI scores. Conclusion: Determination and treatment of sexual, emotional and physical problems in the climacteric period are very important for the improvement of the quality of life of women.