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In the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), questions about sexual activity were asked in 27,347 participants at baseline (age range, 50–79) and year 1, and in a random subsample (8.6%) at years 3 and 6; thus, the WHI provides a longitudinal opportunity to analyze data about postmenopausal sexual health. Questions included frequency of sexual activity, satisfaction, orientation, and presence or absence of a partner. Pelvic examinations were conducted at baseline and annually thereafter to assess vulvovaginal atrophy.
At baseline, sexual activity was reported by 61%, 45%, and 28% of women in the 50-to-59, 60-to-69, and 70-to-79 age groups, respectively, and was highly predictive of continued activity at 1 year (odds ratio, 97). Most women were sa…