TY - JOUR ID - 40813 TI - Sexual Experience of Iranian Women in Their Middle Life: A Qualitative Approach JO - International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery JA - IJCBNM LA - en SN - 2322-2476 AU - Moghasemi, Sedigheh AU - Ozgoli, Giti AU - Ahmadi, Fazlollah AU - Simbar, Masomeh AD - Student Research Committee, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AD - Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran AD - Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Y1 - 2018 PY - 2018 VL - 6 IS - 1 SP - 47 EP - 55 KW - Iran KW - Menopause KW - Middle-aged KW - Qualitative research KW - Sexuality DO - 10.30476/ijcbnm.2018.40813 N2 - Background: Sexual problems are common among the middle-aged women; however, there is no deep understanding of sexuality in midlife. The current study aimed to investigate Iranian women’s attitudes and experiences about sexual life changes in midlife.Methods: This is a descriptive qualitative study. Seventeen women aged 40 -65 years old were purposively selected from urban health centers in Gorgan, Iran, in 2015. Face-to-face, semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection until data saturation was attained. The resulting data were analyzed based on Graneheim and Lundman’s approach. MAXQDA 10 was used for organization of data. Results: Data analysis demonstrated seventh sub-themes and three themes. The emerged themes were entitled (1) “Continuous paradox over being a sexual agent” with three subthemes of beliefs on asexuality as socially accepted view for women in midlife, changing in motivation for sex and changing in sexual performance, (2) “Considering menopause; opportunities and threats for sexual life” with two subthemes of menopause related cons for sexual life and menopause related pros in sexual life, and (3) “Coping strategies for changes in sexuality in midlife” with two subthemes of different psychological reactions to changes that have influenced the sex and take practical steps for restoration of sexual attraction. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that middle-aged women in a male-dominant culture encounter paradox over being a sexual agent. In a bio-psycho-social approach, they perceived menopause as an opportunity or threat for their own sexuality. Following the conflicts, threats and changes of sexuality in midlife, they adopt diverse coping strategies to improve their sexual relationships and preserve their family. UR - https://ijcbnm.sums.ac.ir/article_40813.html L1 - https://ijcbnm.sums.ac.ir/article_40813_78d2e4177ae25c2646437c727097c79d.pdf ER -