Sexuality in postmenopausal women in Africa: 519 case reports

Objective: It aimed to appreciate the quality and the experience of sexuality in postmenopausal women in Africa. Materials and methods: Our work is a monocentric cross-sectional study that is both descriptive and analytical. The survey was conducted on 519 postmenopausal women using an anonymous questionnaire. The choice of women was made at random in various units (hospitalization, delivery room, outpatient clinic, gynaecological emergencies) of the Teaching Hospital of Cocody. Excluded were all postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy, widow or having an inconstantly present husband. Results: The average age of women was 59.3 years. The frequency of sexual intercourse less than once a week in 85.18% of cases and, 1.92% had no sexual activity after menopause. The surveyed in 60.12% of the cases responded that they had unsatisfactory sex compared to 10.6% of satisfied patients. Sexual disorders were present in 87.10% of cases, the most common being decreased desire (63%), vaginal dryness (51.90%), dyspareunia (33.3%), excitation disorders (31%) and orgasm disorders (25%). Conclusion: The taboo remains present in African society, with as its base the lack of information and the cultural burdens. The determinants of sexuality would be represented by the quality of the relationship with the partner, the psychological state of the woman, the general health status of the woman and her partner.