Non-pharmacological Interventions that Promote Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Scoping Review

Non-pharmacological Interventions that Promote Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Scoping Review
Soghra Khani,¹ Zohreh Shahhosseini,² Zeinab Hamzehgardashi,³ Marziye Goli,^4,*
1. Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Sari, Iran.
2. Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Sari, Iran.
3. Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Sari, Iran.
4. Student of Midwifery counseling, Student Research committee. Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Sari, Iran
Introduction: Menopause is a physiological phenomenon that is associated with physical, psychological, and especially sexual complications. Sexual function is an essential part of women’s lives, and changes in it, especially during menopause, can affect women’s health. Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been performed to improve the sexual function of postmenopausal women. Due to the different side effects of drug therapies such as hormones therapy and the conversion of postmenopausal women to non-drug therapies, the present study was conducted with the aim of reviewing non-pharmacological interventions affecting the sexual function of postmenopausal women
Methods: The present study is a scoping review. In this study, the researcher performed a comprehensive search of Google Scholar, SID (Scientific Information Database), PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, MagIran, Web of Science, using the English keywords of Menopause, Postmenopause, Premenopause, Perimenopause, Climacteric, Non-pharmacologic Intervention, Psychological Intervention, Counseling, Education, Sexual Function, Sexual Health, and their Persian equivalents were searched. A total of 871 articles were collected from 2000 to 2020. Then, 482 articles due to duplication, 247 articles due to irrelevance, 79 articles in the abstract screening stage, and 43 articles in the full-text review stage were deleted. Finally, 20 articles were used for writing.
Results: Findings of the present study in the field of review of non-drug interventions that promote sexual function in postmenopausal women were divided into three general categories: The category of educational interventions includes (educational interventions based on sexual function promotion and sexual satisfaction), The category of psychological interventions includes (study of hypnosis-based relaxation, self-efficacy, group support, counseling based on emotion regulation, and counseling based on promoting sexual function in couples), The category of complementary medicine interventions includes (aromatherapy, dietary supplements, and pelvic floor muscle exercises).
Conclusion: Since menopause affects women’s sexual function, and according to the findings of the present study on the effectiveness of educational, psychological, and complementary medicine interventions in improving postmenopausal women’s sexual function, use the non-pharmacological interventions mentioned by health care providers. It is recommended to strengthen and enhance the sexual function of postmenopausal women.
Keywords: sexual function, menopause, non-pharmacological interventions