Cognitive behavioral therapy could help mitigate sexual concerns during menopause

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A new study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could be a safe and effective treatment for the sexual concerns that many women experience during menopause. The study, presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Chicago, September 10-14, explores how CBT can address various sexual health issues that arise during the transition through peri- and postmenopause.

According to the study authors, many women report a decline in sexual function as they go through menopause, including a decrease in desire, pain during intercourse, and overall dissatisfaction. Such problems, in turn, can negatively affect self-esteem, body image, and general well-being. These issues are primarily linked to the decline in estrogen levels during this phase of life.

In fact, between 68% and 87% of women transitioning through menopause experience sexual concerns, according to studies. Despite the high prevalence, the treatment options, especially nonpharmacological ones, remain limited. In response to this, researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, initiated a small study to test the effectiveness of CBT in addressing these concerns.

The study involved a 4-session individual CBT protocol focused on improving sexual functioning—specifically targeting desire, arousal, pain, and satisfaction. Alongside these primary objectives, the researchers also assessed how the therapy affected body image, relationship satisfaction, and menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, and anxiety.

Findings of the study found that participants experienced significant improvements across several areas, including sexual functioning, body image, and satisfaction within their relationships. Moreover, the women reported notable reductions in menopause symptoms, depression, and anxiety.

Additionally, 100% of participants expressed satisfaction with the CBT treatment, stating that it helped them manage their symptoms more effectively.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study that has examined the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral therapy protocol specifically aimed to improve sexual concerns experienced during peri- and postmenopause," said Sheryl Green, PhD, lead author of the study. "Results suggest that this type of therapy leads to significant improvements across several important sexual concern domains, and we hope this study will provide the basis for larger randomized clinical trials in the future."

"This study is important to women experiencing sexual health-related issues and provides their healthcare professionals with another nonpharmacologic treatment option to discuss with their patients,” said Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, medical director of The Menopause Society.

The authors concluded that these findings represent the potential for cognitive behavioral therapy to become a viable option for addressing sexual health concerns in menopausal women, offering hope to millions seeking relief from the physical and emotional challenges of this life stage.

Reference:

Green SM. Furtado M. Alison Sheal, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sexual Concerns During Peri- and Post-Menopause (CBT-SC-Meno): A Clinical Trial. Presented at: 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society. Chicago, Illinois. September 10-14, 2024.