Sexual Minority Women Report Better Sexual Functioning Than Heterosexual Women

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 20, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2024 -- Sexual minority women (SMW) report better sexual functioning in midlife than their heterosexual peers, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Menopause.

Laura A. Muratore, from the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, and colleagues compared whether indices of sexual function differed between SMW and heterosexual midlife women veterans. The analysis included survey results from 232 participants (25 percent SMW).

The researchers found that compared with heterosexual women, SMW were more likely to endorse recent sexual activity (odds ratio, 2.20), less likely to report pain during sex (odds ratio, 0.07), and less likely to report past-month vaginal symptoms (odds ratio, 0.33); SMW also reported less impact of vaginal symptoms on sexual function (β = −0.24). High levels of distress related to sexual dysfunction were reported by both groups.

"The results of this study highlight that menopause and aging substantively affect sexual health and functioning in women veterans and, further, that experiences may vary significantly based on sexual identity," Stephanie Faubion, M.D., medical director of The Menopause Society, said in a statement. "Additional research is needed to better understand the unique needs of midlife sexual minority women and to promote the provision of affirming health care to sexual minority women veterans."

One author disclosed ties to Astellas Pharmaceuticals.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2024-12-21 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords