Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Perceived Sexual Health Needs of Older Women: A Systematic Review Publisher



Saadatmand F1 ; Beigi M2 ; Heidari Z3 ; Savabiesfahani M4
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research Published:2025


Abstract

Background: Maintaining and promoting sexual health in older women requires paying attention to and meeting their sexual health-related needs. This study aimed to determine older women's perceived sexual health needs through a systematic review. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, studies conducted from the beginning of 2000 to August 28, 2022, were searched in Databases, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, Pub Med, and Google Scholar as a research engine. To access all English articles, keywords such as sexual health, sexual performance, sexual intercourse, sexual, need, demand, and women and their possible combinations were used using 'AND' and 'OR' operators. This research was implemented based on the criteria of the PRISMA checklist. The articles were evaluated using the STROBE and COREQ checklists. The thematic synthesis method was used to synthesize the data. Results: The sexual health needs of older women were categorized into four groups: restoration of violated sexual rights, elimination of age discrimination (ageism), promotion of sexual health literacy, and providing sexual health services. Conclusions: The sexual needs of older women have been neglected due to prevailing social structures of many countries, stigma, gender discrimination, and lack of sexual health literacy. In addition to the need for social and emotional support to adapt to the conditions of old age, these women need to achieve sexual rights, improve sexual health literacy, and receive health services. © 2025 Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Development of a Conceptual Framework of Sexual Health for Married Elderly Women: An Exploratory Mixed Method Study, PLoS ONE (2025)
2. Strategies to Promote the Provision of Sexual Health Services During Menopause: A Qualitative Study From the Perspective of Menopausal Women and Healthcare Providers in Isfahan City, Iran, BMC Health Services Research (2025)
3. Developing and Validating a Questionnaire to Measure Women's Sexual Behaviors: A Psychometric Process, Galen Medical Journal (2016)
4. The Relationship Between Sexual Self-Efficacy and Sexual Function in Married Women, Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health (2019)
5. An Exploratory Mixed Method Study for Developing and Psychometric Properties of the Sexual Information, Motivation and Behavioral Skills Scale (Simbs) in Iranian Couples, Journal of Research in Health Sciences (2019)
6. Health-Related Needs and Barriers in Transgender Populations: A Systematic Review Study, International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare (2024)
7. Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol to Evaluate the Effect of an Educational Intervention Using Information, Motivation and Behavioral Skills Model on Sexual Satisfaction of New Couples in Iran, Reproductive Health (2019)
8. Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Intervention Program to Improve the Sexual Competence of Young Adult Women About to Get Married: A Protocol Study, Reproductive Health (2024)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Shahnaz Kohan (8)
Mahnaz Noroozi (6)
Other Related Docs
9. Barriers to Vulnerable Adolescent Girls' Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health, BMC public health (2022)
10. Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Hiv-Positive People in Tehran, Iran: A Mixed-Method Descriptive Study, International Journal of Health Policy and Management (2015)
11. Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Among Girls Who Are Getting Married Based on the Information From Yas Pre-Marriage Counseling Center, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2017)
12. “Normal Vulva” Based on the First National Labiagram Design in Adult Iranian Women Not Seeking Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: A Pilot Study, Sexual Medicine (2023)
13. The Effectiveness of Problem-Solving Approach Consulting on Sexual Satisfaction of Married Women: A Single Case Method, Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education and Research (2019)
14. The Stigma of Reproductive Health Services Utilization by Unmarried Women, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (2016)
15. Psychosocial Determinants of Sexual Health in Newly Married Couples: A Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study, Reproductive Health (2023)
16. Married Women's and Men's Experiences Regarding the Concept of Sexual Desire: A Qualitative Research, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2019)
17. Improving the Sexual Health of Couples With Diabetes: Study Protocol of an Action Research Study, Reproductive Health (2025)
18. Hiv and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Sex Workers in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Archives of Sexual Behavior (2020)
19. Relationship Between Health Literacy Level and Sexual Function in Women in the Northwest of Iran in 2020- a Cross Sectional Study, BMC Women's Health (2023)
20. Transition Into the Sexual and Reproductive Role: A Qualitative Exploration of Iranian Married Adolescent Girls’ Needs and Experiences, Reproductive Health (2021)
21. Identifying and Responding to the Sexual Reproductive Health Needs of Women With Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2022)
22. The Effect of Counseling Based on Health Promotion Awareness on Self-Care Needs and Reproductive and Sexual Health Literacy of Newly Married Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Study, BMC Women's Health (2024)
23. Effect of Self-Care Training Program Based on Orem's Model on the Behaviors Leading to Sexually Transmitted Disease in Vulnerable Women, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2016)
24. Quality of Marital Life and Its Demographic Related Factors in the Elderly in Isfahan, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2023)
25. Compare the Effectiveness of Plissit and Sexual Health Models on Women's Sexual Problems in Tehran, Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Sexual Medicine (2014)
26. Vulnerable Women’S Self-Care Needs in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Concerning Sexually Transmitted Diseases, International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery (2016)
27. Factors Associated With the Involvement of Women Drug Users in Risky Sexual Behaviors: A Narrative Review, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2022)
28. How Does a Group of Iranian Youth Conceptualize Their Risky Sexual Experiences?, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (2015)
29. Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Among Men and Women Aged 15 to 49 Years in Metropolitan Tehran, Journal of Sex Research (2016)
30. Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction and Related Risk Factors in Men With Multiple Sclerosis in Iran: A Multicenter Study, Neurology and Therapy (2021)
31. Barriers to Sexual Health Education for Female Adolescents in Schools From Health Care Providers' Perspective, Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health (2023)
32. Sexual Satisfaction and Related Factors Among Iranian Married Women, 2017, Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences (2020)
33. Relationship of Emotional Intelligence With Sexual Function in Females, Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery (2019)
34. The Relationship of Sexual Function and Sexual Self-Esteem Among the Women of Reproductive Age Based on Body Mass Index, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2018)
35. A Qualitative Study on the Health System-Related Needs in Women Survivors of Rape, BMC Health Services Research (2024)
36. The Relationship Between Depression and Sexual Satisfaction: An Equation Model Analysis, Journal of Education and Health Promotion (2023)
37. Risky Sexual Behavior Among Iranian University Students and Its Relationship With Religiosity and Familial Support, Family Medicine and Primary Care Review (2020)
38. Changes in Sexual Activities, Function, and Satisfaction During the Covid-19 Pandemic Era: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Sexual Medicine (2023)
39. How and Where Do We Ask Sensitive Questions: Self-Reporting of Sti-Associated Symptoms Among the Iranian General Population, International Journal of Health Policy and Management (2018)
40. Perceived Barriers to Implementing Sexual Health Programs From the Viewpoint of Health Policymakers in Iran: A Qualitative Study, Sexuality Research and Social Policy (2022)
41. Quality of Life and Sexual Activity Among a Group of Iranian Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery or Radiotherapy, Journal of Iranian Medical Council (2023)
42. The Relationship Between Sexual Self-Concept and Contraception Sexual Behavior in 15 to 49 Years Old Women Covered by Community Health Centers, Journal of Education and Health Promotion (2023)
43. Widow’S Lived Experiences About Challenges Related to Their Emotional and Sexual Needs: A Phenomenological Study, Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility (2017)
44. Challenges of Researchers in Performing Sexual Health Research in Iran: A Qualitative Study, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2018)
45. Sexual Dysfunction in Menopause, Journal of Isfahan Medical School (2008)
46. How Do Iranian Women From Rafsanjan Conceptualize Their Sexual Behaviors?, Sexuality and Culture (2014)
47. The Story of Female Sex Workers in the Shadow of Sex Work Coercion: A Qualitative Study, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2022)
48. Relationship of Sexual Dysfunction and Its Associated Factors in Women With Genital and Breast Cancers, Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2015)
49. The Necessity of Sexual-Health Education for Iranian Female Adolescents: A Qualitative Study, Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility (2012)
50. Effectiveness of Online Sexual Education Based on the Extended Plissit Model on Sexual Function and Sexual Satisfaction in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment, Journal of Education and Health Promotion (2023)