(224) CLIMACTERIC SYNDROME: LESBIANS VERSUS HETEROSEXUAL WOMEN

Abstract Objectives Climacterium is a physiological period in a woman’s life, reached by both heterosexual women and lesbians. There are several difficulties associated with the transition to menopause, which is referred to as climacteric syndrome (CS). There are differences between women as to the perception of climacteric difficulties. In our study, we focus on the differences in the perception of CS between heterosexual women and lesbians. Methods We assessed a group of 48 heterosexual women and 42 lesbians using a self-assessment scale of a modified version of the Kupperman index (KI), which focuses not only on the so-called acute (vegetative) but also in part on the subacute (organic) symptomatology of CS. We used the Mann-Whitney U-test to evaluate the results of individual symptoms and we chose Fisher’s exact test to compare the percentages of women according to the severity of CS. Results Similar results were found in most of the monitored parameters, regardless of sexual orientation. The most important finding of the study is that lesbians tolerate menopausal difficulties statistically significantly better and have a lower incidence of pain during sexual intercourse than heterosexual women. Heterosexual women in whom no form of CS was present according to KI accounted for 37.5% compared with 57.1% of women in the lesbian group, mild CS was observed in 18.8 of HW compared with 31% of LW, moderate severe CS in 43.8% of HW vs. 11.9% of LW. We did not observe severe CS in either group. Conclusions Similar results were found in most of the monitored parameters in both groups. Among other things, psychological factors, such as better communication and mutual understanding of lesbian partners, may contribute to better tolerance. The statistically significantly lower incidence of painful coitus is certainly influenced by the fact that lesbians have a wider range of non-penetrative sexual practices than heterosexual women. Conflicts of Interest We have no confilct of interest.