Effects of domestic violence on menopausal symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between lifetime experience of domestic violence and climacteric symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life in climacteric women in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 700 pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women, recruited online via an anonymous questionnaire (REDCap platform). Women aged 40 to 65 years, residing in Rio Grande do Sul, and classified by the STRAW+10 criteria were included. Climacteric symptoms and sexual function were assessed using the 10-item Cervantes Scale (CS-10) and the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0; quantitative data as median [IQR], qualitative as frequencies. Group comparisons used Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-Square, and Spearman's correlation between violence against women (VAW) and/or climacteric groups on CS-10 or FSFI-6. Significance was set at 5%. Results: The median [IQR] age of pre- (46 [43 - 50] years), peri- (50 [47 – 52] years), and postmenopausal (55 [51 – 58] years) were different among groups. Prevalence rates of psychological (38.8%), sexual (34.9%), and physical (21.3%) violence were observed. Postmenopausal women showed the poorest outcomes. Premenopausal women experiencing violence had severe anxiety, while postmenopausal women reported feeling worthless. Various sexual dysfunctions were associated with violence, including low desire, lubrication issues, and sexual pain. Conclusions: Domestic violence was linked to worse climacteric symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life, particularly in postmenopausal women. These findings underscore the need for improved care and public policies to enhance safety and well-being among women of all ages.