Sexual functions and disorders in anxiety and depressive disorder patients in the postmenopausal period

Sexual Functions and Disorders in Anxiety and Depressive Disorder Patients in the Postmenopausal Period Objective: In this study, we aimed to explain the effect of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder on sexual dysfunction in the postmenopausal period. Materials and Methods: A total of 114 participants, including 57 patients diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders and 57 healthy individuals for the control group, among postmenopausal women who applied to the outpatient clinic for outpatient treatment between 15.09.2023 and 15.01.2024 in the Department of Mental Health and Diseases of Balcalı Hospital, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, were included in this study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and Socio-demographic Data Form prepared by us were used. Results: In the patient group, 23 (40.3%) patients had only generalized anxiety disorder, 20 (35.1%) patients had only major depressive disorder, and 14 (24.5%) patients had both generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Medication use rates were higher in the patient group (p<0.001). In the patient group, the mean scores of the ASEX, BAI, BDI, HARS and HDRS were significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). In the patient group, patients who were not working (p=0.022), patients in extended family group (p=0.020), patients living in the city center (p=0.027) and patients with a history of medical disease Among the patients in the patient group, it was found that those who were not working (p=0.022), patients in the extended family group (p=0.020), patients living in the city center (p=0.027) and patients with a history of medical illness (p<0.001) had higher ASEX scores. Patients with sexual dysfunction had significantly higher mean scores on the BAI, BDI, HARS and HDRS scales (p=0.008; p<0.001; p=0.001; p=0.001; p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The relationship between anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunctions in the postmenopausal period is especially evident with high scores obtained in scales such as the BAI and BDI. In the postmenopausal period, the sexual life of the patients is negatively affected by the increase in the severity of anxiety and depression. Factors such as unemployment, extended family life, residence in provincial centers and history of medical illness may negatively affect sexual life. Psychometric scales such as ASEX, BAI, BDI, HARS and HDRS have revealed significant relationships between anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction in the postmenopausal period. Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Sexual Dysfunction, Postmenopausal Women