Mid-to-late-life women and sexual health: communication with health care providers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sexual health communication can be difficult for aging women as well as their health care providers. The current exploratory study was undertaken to learn more about how mid-to-late-life women approached communication about sexual health with their health care providers and what factors impacted their perceptions of their abilities to do so. METHODS: In this descriptive qualitative study, 27 community-dwelling women, ages 50--80, were interviewed about their perceptions of their abilities to communicate with their health care providers about their sexual health. Interview data was coded for major themes. RESULTS: All of the women in the study had self efficacy to communicate about their sexual health, especially if there was a physical problem present. For a majority of women, provider-related behaviors impacted their communication self efficacy. Provider-related behaviors that both encouraged and hindered communication were identified. Relationship quality and provider-initiated communication were among the behaviors that encourage communication about sexual health. Women in this sample valued active listening by the provider as well as a nonjudgmental stance. Perceptions of provider discomfort, lack of time or interest, as well as confidentiality concerns were identified as barriers to communication about sexual health. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual health is important to the quality of life of aging and older women. Providers can incorporate some of the behaviors identified as enhancing of communication self efficacy so that this important health topic is covered in the clinical encounter.