The CLOSER survey: impact of postmenopausal vaginal discomfort on women and male partners in the UK

Menopause Int. 2013 Jun;19(2):69-76. doi: 10.1177/1754045313484139.

Abstract

Objective: To understand the physical and emotional impact of postmenopausal vaginal discomfort on relationships between women and their male partners.

Study design: In a quantitative, Internet-based survey, 8200 individuals from the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Italy, US and Canada (postmenopausal, married/cohabiting women, aged 55-65 years, who had experienced vaginal discomfort, and male partners of such women) completed a structured questionnaire.

Main outcome measures: Results for respondents from the UK (500 men, 500 women), expressed as percentages of women/men describing particular answers, are reported.

Results: Avoiding physical intimacy because of vaginal discomfort was reported by 69% of women and 76% of male partners, mainly due to concern about sex being painful (women 63%; men 61%); 18% of women considered vaginal discomfort had created emotional distance between them and their partners. Local estrogen treatment was used by 21% of women, among whom 58% subsequently reported less painful sex. Following such treatment, 33% of women and 30% of male partners reported an improved sex life, while 33% of women and 34% of male partners described becoming emotionally closer. Although 73% of women did not consider enough information about vaginal discomfort to be available, 60% would consult a physician to obtain this.

Conclusions: Although vaginal discomfort has a substantial impact on postmenopausal women and their partners, improvements in sexual and emotional relationships can follow use of local estrogen therapy. Not all women may be aware of therapeutic options; healthcare providers can improve outcomes by more openly communicating and initiating discussion with patients.

Keywords: Local estrogen therapy; male partner; menopause; survey; vaginal atrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrophy
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / epidemiology
  • Pain / psychology*
  • Postmenopause / psychology*
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Vagina / pathology*
  • Vaginal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vaginal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Vaginal Diseases / psychology*