Mindfulness feasible, improves sexual distress in older women with low libido

Among midlife and older women with low libido, a virtual mindfulness intervention is not only feasible and acceptable but also effective in improving sexual distress relative to education on health and menopause, according to a study.

Eighty-one women aged ≥45 years with low libido were randomly assigned either to the mindfulness intervention (n=31) or an education group (n=30) that met over videoconferencing. The intervention included mindfulness instruction and practice, group discussion, and education on sexuality and ageing, while the education group received general information on menopause and health.

Feasibility was defined by the number of screened women who enrolled and completed their group, while acceptability as satisfaction with the group and likelihood of recommending it to another woman with low libido, respectively.

Additionally, the authors evaluated sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and sexual distress using the Female Sexual Distress Scale‒Revised (FSDSR) at 6 weeks postconclusion.

Of the participants, 18 in the intervention group and 23 in the control group attended at least one session, with time conflict as the main reason for nonattendance. Of the 41 women who started attending groups, 47 (90 percent) made it to at least five sessions.

Majority of the women (73 percent) in the mindfulness group were very or extremely satisfied. Those in the mindfulness group were also more likely to recommend it to another person with low libido compared with their counterparts in the education group (p=0.031). Specifically, 67 percent said they would “probably or definitely recommend” such intervention.

No significant changes were observed in sexual function in either group (mindfulness: mean FSFI score, 22.6 to 18.6; p=0.101; education: mean FSFI score, 21.2 to 19.7; p=0.537).

On the other hand, women in the mindfulness group showed marked improvements in sexual distress than those in the education group (mindfulness: mean FSDSR score, 27.1 to 19.7; p=0.021; education: mean FSDSR score, 19.0 to 15.8; p=0.062).

“Mindfulness may reduce sexual distress in older women with low libido,” the authors said, noting that the findings provide data that can be used in larger clinical trials.