The effect of health anxiety on attitudes and sexual function in women during the menopausal period.

This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between health anxiety, attitudes toward menopause, and sexual function in menopausal women. The participants' mean total scores were 38.67 ± 11.16 for the Attitudes Toward Menopause Scale (ATMS), 21.12 ± 6.63 for the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI-18), and 15.01 ± 5.50 for the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). A negative correlation was found between ATMS scores and both SHAI-18 and its "Bodily Symptom Hypersensitivity" subscale (p<0.05). Additionally, a negative association was observed between SHAI-18 and FSFI-6 scores (p<0.05). Regression analysis revealed that ATMS had a statistically significant effect on SHAI-18 (p<0.001), with a 1-point increase in SHAI-18 associated with a 0.160-point decrease in ATMS scores. Furthermore, ATMS scores were found to explain 7% of the observed differences in SHAI-18 scores. In conclusion, increased health anxiety in menopausal women negatively affects their attitudes toward menopause, leading to psychosexual difficulties.