Effects of education given in the menopausal period on the day-to-day impact of vaginal aging, self-efficacy in sexual abstinence and sexual distress: A randomized clinical trial

Despite physiological differences, women have to struggle with many problems related to menopause. It is the responsibility of nurses to provide women with the information and guidance they need during this period. Study was carried out to investigate the effects of education given in the menopausal period on the day-to-day impact of vaginal aging, self-efficacy in sexual abstinence, and sexual distress. This randomized controlled study was conducted at a center operated by a local municipality that provides services only to women, between 01.09.2023-10.12.2023 with 62 women (experimental:31, control:31). The data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," the "Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging Questionnaire-DIVA," the "Self-Efficacy Scale for Sexual Abstinence-SESSA," and the "Female Sexual Distress Scale-FSDS." ANOVA, independent-samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, and regression analyses were used to analyze the data. After the pretest, the experimental group were given education by the researcher in weekly sessions lasting 50/min. each for 5 weeks. In the posttest, the forms were administered 45 days after the last education session. There were significant differences between the experimental group in terms of their mean posttest DIVA (11.10 +/- 2.65; 8.94 +/- 1.65), FSDS (39.11 +/- 9.07; 31.48 +/- 10.27) and SESSA (17.85 +/- 5.36; 21.25 +/- 10.49 total scores (p < .001), while there was no significant difference between the pre-posttest of the control group (p < .05). Additionally, age was found to be a significant predictor of DIVA, whereas education level and marital satisfaction status were significant predictors of their SESSA. Education provided to women reduced the day-to-day impact of vaginal aging and sexual distress levels of the women and increased their self-efficacy in sexual abstinence.