(PS10-94) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Sexual Concerns During Peri- and Post-menopause: Preliminary Outcomes

Introduction: Sexual concerns are reported by 68% to 86.5% of peri- and post-menopausal women, which negatively impact physical and emotional well-being. Little attention has been paid to this area in the literature and no well-established, non-pharmacological treatments exist. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a four-session individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy protocol in improving sexual satisfaction, desire, and libido, and reducing distress during peri- and post-menopause.

Methods: Participants (n=31) recruited during peri- or post-menopause experiencing primary sexual concerns were assessed for study eligibility and initially assigned to a waitlist condition for four weeks. Participants then completed four individual CBT sessions focusing on sexual concerns (CBT-SC-Meno). Included measures assessed sexual satisfaction, distress, and desire (Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Female Sexual Desire Questionnaire), as well as menopause symptoms (Greene Climacteric Scale, Hot Flash Rated Daily Interference Scale), body image (Dresden Body Image Questionnaire), relationship satisfaction (Couples Satisfaction Index), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) at baseline, post-waitlist, and post-treatment. Participants also completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire at post-treatment.

Results: No significant changes were observed during the waitlist period across all measures, apart from the concern subscale on the Female Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire. Participants experienced a significant decrease in symptoms of sexual distress, concern, and resistance, menopausal symptoms, and symptoms of depression and anxiety from post-waitlist to post-treatment. Significant increases in sexual dyadic and solitary desire, sexual functioning, body-image satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction were also observed. Further, 100% of participants indicated that they were satisfied with the treatment they received and that it helped them cope with their symptoms more effectively.

Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the efficacy of a CBT protocol aimed at improving sexual concerns experienced during peri- and post-menopause. Preliminary results suggest CBT-SC-Meno leads to significant improvements across sexual concern domains, as well as menopausal symptoms more broadly and commonly co-occurring symptoms including body-image, relationship satisfaction, depression, and anxiety symptoms. As consumer demand increases for non-pharmacological treatments for peri- and post-menopause symptoms, this form of treatment may not only be preferred by some, but necessary for others as medications, including long-term hormonal-based treatments, have known associated adverse risks.