UROGENITAL AGING AND ITS EFFECT ON SEXUAL HEALTH IN OLDER BRITISH WOMEN

Objective To provide information on the extent of problems of urogenit al ageing in older British women. Design A MORI survey of a representa tive population sample of older British women. Setting Home interviews . Participants Two thousand and forty-five women aged 55-85+. Results Urogenital symptoms had affected 48.8% of the women at some time, but no more than 11% were currently affected by individual symptoms; howev er, these were often of long duration. The majority (73%) were not sex ually active, with lack of a partner being a factor for many. There wa s also a decreasing prevalence of sexual activity with increasing age. Those sexually active in the 65-74 year old age group (n = 148) tende d to have a similar sexual frequency (at least once per month) compare d with the younger women studied. Approximately 12% of those who repor ted dyspareunia and/or vaginal dryness claimed a severe problem; 33% d id not seek professional advice and 36% resorted to an over the counte r remedy. Use of hormone replacement therapy was generally of relative ly short duration. There was a declining gradient of ever-use with age . Conclusions The extent of significant urogenital symptoms is relativ ely low, but some women are seriously affected and use self-help as we ll as professional assistance. The extent of sexual activity in older women and factors affecting this have been defined, and the effect of urogenital symptoms on sexual activity demonstrated.