The comparison between the effectiveness of plissit and sexual health model on the sexual function and sexual quality of life in menopause: A randomized clinical trial
Aug 2026· Payesh (Health Monitor) Journal· 0 citations· 36 references
TL;DR
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the PLISSIT model with the sexual health model on menopausal women’s sexual function and quality of their sexual life.
Abstract
Objective (s): One of the problems of menopausal women is their sexual life and sexual health. The present study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of the PLISSIT model with the sexual health model on menopausal women’s sexual function and quality of their sexual life. Methods: The randomized controlled clinical trial study with the code: IRCT20230808059085N1 was conducted in 2023 on 102 postmenopausal women visiting comprehensive health service centers in Hamedan who met the criteria for entering the study. The samples were randomly divided into three groups: PLISSIT counseling model (33 participants), sexual health counseling model (34 participants) and control (35 participants). The data collection tools included a demographic and obstetric questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F). Questionnaires were completed in the intervention and control groups before the intervention, and also 4 and 6 weeks after that. After collecting information, data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 24) and statistical tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results
Sexual counseling, using either the EX-PLISSIT or BETTER model, improved the sexual function of women who experienced a failed assisted reproductive treatment.
Akram Rahimi Shandiz, Fatemeh Zahra Karimi, Seyedreza Mazloum et al.· Journal of Psychosomatic Obs...· 0 citations
Implementing the 5As self-management intervention can improve women's sexual satisfaction; consequently, the use of this intervention model is recommended to health providers.
Zahra Haghighi, Ashraf Kazemi, M. Beigi· Journal of Health Psychology· 0 citations
Objective This study aimed to investigate fear of unintended pregnancy, contraceptive method use, sexual quality of life, and associated factors among perimenopausal women. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 with 124 perimenopausal women aged 40–50 years. The data have been collected using a sociodemographic-obstetric questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) scale. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis H and Linear regression analysis tests were applied. Results The median SQOL-F score was 84.50. The score indicated a moderate-to-high level of sexual quality of life. Significant differences in SQOL-F scores were observed according to employment status, education level, parity, mode of delivery, childbirth experience, and fear of unintended pregnancy (p < 0.05). Relatively higher SQOL-F scores have been exposed by women with higher education levels, lower parity, cesarean delivery, and positive birth experiences. Significantly lower SQOL-F scores have been observed on the fear of unintended pregnancy predicated women. Conclusions The fear of unintended pregnancy is prevalent among perimenopausal women and is associated with lower sexual quality of life. Comprehensive nursing interventions may be critical including contraceptive counseling and sexual health education tailored to the needs of perimenopausal women.
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of tele-sexual counseling on sexual function and distress in postpartum couples. A total of 140 exclusively breastfeeding primiparous women and their spouses were recruited from health centers in Qazvin, Iran, between January and July 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which received five structured online couple-based counseling sessions via a social media platform, or a control group that received routine postpartum care. Sexual function and sexual distress were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one- and two-month follow-ups using validated scales (FSFI-6, IIEF-5, and SDS-R). Women in the intervention group showed significant improvements in sexual function and reductions in distress across all follow-up points (p < 0.001). Men also demonstrated significant gains in sexual function and marked decreases in sexual distress (p < 0.001). The positive effects of the intervention were consistent over time and statistically significant. These findings suggest that tele-sexual counseling is an effective, accessible approach to improving postpartum sexual health in couples, particularly in contexts with limited access to in-person services. Incorporating such interventions into routine care may help address neglected relational and psychosexual challenges during the postpartum period.
Sara Heidari, Zainab Alimoradi, Nasim Bahrami· Journal of Sex & Marital The...· 0 citations
Abstract Introduction Breast cancer survivors frequently experience sexual dysfunction and impaired partner relationships after treatment, but the effectiveness of nursing interventions in improving these post-treatment outcomes remains uncertain. To evaluate the efficacy of sexual health, nursing interventions on sexual dysfunction and quality of life in breast cancer survivors through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials published from database inception to January 31, 2026. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the relevant data, and assessed methodological quality. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4, with standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) and 95% CIs used according to the type of outcome measure. Outcomes The primary outcomes were sexual dysfunction, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores, and Sexual Quality of Life (SQOL) scores. Results Sixteen randomized controlled trials involving 1929 patients were included. Compared with usual care, sexual health nursing interventions significantly improved sexual dysfunction (SMD = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.60-1.24, P < .001), FSFI scores (MD = 3.97, 95% CI: 3.07-4.86, P < .001), and SQOL scores (MD = 7.05, 95% CI: 5.94-8.15, P < .001). Subgroup analyses further confirmed the efficacy of sexual health nursing interventions across different intervention types. Sensitivity analysis showed that the pooled results were robust, and no evidence of publication bias was detected by Egger’s test (P > .05). Discussion These findings support the integration of sexual health nursing interventions into routine rehabilitation care for breast cancer survivors, as such interventions may help to alleviate post-treatment sexual dysfunction and improve SQOL. The strengths of this study include a comprehensive database search, rigorous methodology with independent reviewers, and robust sensitivity analysis. The limitations include potential heterogeneity across intervention contents and outcome measures, as well as the inclusion of studies conducted only in high-income countries, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Sexual health nursing interventions effectively alleviate sexual dysfunction and improve SQOL in breast cancer survivors.
Qian Yu, Lihong Wang, Yuhong Xu et al.· Sexual Medicine· 0 citations
Sexual health education is an essential yet often neglected component of care for menopausal and postmenopausal women. Hormonal and psychosocial changes associated with aging may adversely affect psychological health, social well-being, and sexual self-efficacy, while many older women receive limited guidance in managing these concerns. Structured sexual health education may help address these unmet needs and promote healthy aging. This study evaluated the effect of a sexual health education program on psychological health, social well-being, and sexual self-efficacy among older women. This randomized controlled study (ISRCTN16519569) was conducted among 110 women aged 65 years and older recruited from urban health centers in Ilam, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 55) or a control group (n = 55). Eligibility criteria included being married, cognitively intact, and physically able to participate. The intervention group received six 30-minute face-to-face sexual health education sessions over a three-week period, together with an educational booklet, whereas the control group received routine health services. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and four weeks after the intervention using the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Keyes and Shapiro Social Well-Being Scale, and the Vaziri and Lotfi Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline scores. No significant differences were observed between groups at baseline (p > 0.05). After adjustment for baseline values, participants in the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher post-intervention scores for psychological health, social well-being, and sexual self-efficacy compared with the control group (all p < 0.001). The intervention effects were large across all outcome measures. Participation in a structured sexual health education program was associated with improved psychological health, social well-being, and sexual self-efficacy among older women. These findings suggest that sexual health education may represent a useful strategy for supporting healthy aging; however, further studies with longer follow-up periods and more diverse populations are warranted.
Samira Shojaee, S. Taheri, Sanaz Aazami· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
