Post-traumatic stress symptoms can cause problems in the bedroom for midlife women

New study suggests association between PTSD and poor sexual functioning

Meeting Announcement

THE MENOPAUSE SOCIETY

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Sept 27, 2023)—Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with a number of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Little is known, however, regarding its impact on sexual functioning among midlife women. A new study is shedding light on the topic, suggesting that greater PTSD symptoms lead to worse sexual functioning. Study results will be presented during the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia, September 27-30.

PTSD is more common among women than many people may believe, with approximately 10% of women reporting symptoms. The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include combat exposure, childhood physical abuse, and sexual violence. Despite the high prevalence of PTSD in women, there has been little research done regarding the association between PTSD symptoms and sexual functioning among midlife women.

A new study involving more than 100 postmenopausal women 45-66 years of age sought to determine if PTSD symptoms were associated with worse sexual functioning among midlife women after accounting for potentially confounding factors, such as age, race/ethnicity, education, vaginal estrogen use, alcohol use, and depressive symptoms. To qualify, study participants had to have experienced PTSD symptoms and had sexual activity within the month prior to evaluation.

On average, women who reported moderate and severe PTSD symptoms also reported lower sexual functioning. When specific aspects of PTSD symptoms were considered, greater avoidance/numbing symptoms were related to poorer sexual functioning, causing the researchers to conclude that greater past-month PTSD symptomology was related to worse sexual functioning. Results suggest the importance of assessing and addressing PTSD symptoms among midlife women to improve their sexual health and functioning as they age.

Study results will be presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society as part of the presentation entitled “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Sexual Functioning Among Midlife Women.”

“Many midlife women experience profound changes in their mood, physical health, and social relationships, in part related to the menopause transition,” says Dr. Karen Jakubowski, lead author from the Department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. “Currently, there is little research on the long-term health effects of PTSD symptoms, specifically among midlife women. Our results highlight the need to better understand women’s trauma histories and PTSD symptoms in order to provide optimal clinical care for women during midlife.”

“As women age, there are many reasons why sexual functioning may become an issue for them,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society. “This study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to ask about any history of trauma and open-up the dialogue with their patients on this sensitive issue.”

Drs. Jakubowski and Faubion are available for interviews before and after the presentation at the Annual Meeting.

For more information about menopause and healthy aging, visit www.menopause.org

New study suggests growing use of cannabis to help manage menopause symptoms

Women and adults aged 50+ are now the fastest growing group of cannabis users

Meeting Announcement

THE MENOPAUSE SOCIETY

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Sept 27, 2023)—Not so long ago, young adults were the primary users of cannabis. The reality today, however, is that women and adults aged 50+ represent the fastest growing group of users. A new study additionally confirms the frequent use of cannabis by midlife women to manage an array of menopause symptoms. Study results will be presented during the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia September 27-30.

With rapidly expanding legalization and normalization, recreational and medical cannabis use is increasing across all age groups. Past research largely focused on usage habits by men and younger adults. However, until now, little was known about the prevalence or characteristics of cannabis use among women in and after the menopause transition.

A new study based on data from more than 5,000 midlife women has sought to address this information gap by analyzing the frequency, forms, and motives of cannabis use by primarily postmenopausal women.

Based on the results, the researchers concluded that cannabis use is relatively common in midlife women. Over 40% reported ever using cannabis for recreational or therapeutic purposes, most often to treat chronic pain (28%), anxiety (24%), sleep problems (22%), and stress (22%). Women who reported using cannabis specifically for menopause symptoms (6%) primarily reported targeting menopause-related mood and sleep difficulties.

More than 10% of study participants had used cannabis in the past 30 days, most often smoking (56%), ingesting edible products (52%), or using cannabis in more than one form (39%). Among those with past 30-day use, 31% reported smoking cannabis on a daily or near-daily basis, while 19% reported daily or near-daily use of edible cannabis products.

Study results will be presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society as an abstract presentation titled “Medical and Recreational Cannabis Use in the Menopause Transition: Evaluation of Trends from a Large, Nationally Representative Sample of Midlife Women.”

“We know that cannabis products are being marketed to women to manage menopause symptoms, and these findings suggest that midlife women are turning to cannabis for menopause symptoms and other common issues in the menopause transition. But we still do not know if use is actually helping for those symptoms, or if it may be contributing to other challenges.” says Dr. Carolyn Gibson, lead author and health services researcher at the University of California, San Francisco.

“These findings highlight the need for recognizing and discussing cannabis use in the healthcare setting” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society. “Additional research is needed to evaluate the potential harms and/or benefits of use.”

Drs. Gibson and Faubion are available for interviews before and after the presentation at the Annual Meeting.

For more information about menopause and healthy aging, visit www.menopause.org.

The Menopause Society (formerly The North American Menopause Society) is dedicated to empowering healthcare professionals and providing them with the tools and resources to improve the health of women during the menopause transition and beyond. As the leading authority on menopause since 1989, the nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization serves as the independent, evidence-based resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, the media, and the public and leads the conversation about improving women’s health and healthcare experiences. To learn more, visit menopause.org.