Objective The aim of this study was to assess sexual function and related factors (menopause-related quality of life and mood included) in mid-aged Spanish women. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which 179 sexually active women (40-65 y old) completed the six-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a sociodemographic questionnaire containing personal and partner data. Results Median age was 51 years; 55.3% of the women were naturally postmenopausal, 47.5% had increased body mass index, and 6.7% had hypertension. Currently, 4.5% and 19.6% of the women used hormone therapy and psychotropic drugs, respectively. A total of 87.7% had a stable partner; 1.3% of partners abused alcohol and 8.3% had erectile dysfunction. Of the surveyed women, 36.9% displayed total FSFI-6 scores of 19 or less (lower sexual function); 40.2%, mood morbidity (total HADS scores ≥11); and 23.5%, impaired quality of life (severe total MRS scores ≥17). Cronbach α for the FSFI-6 was 0.91. Total FSFI-6 scores positively correlated with female and partner education and inversely with female age and scores on the MRS and the HADS (total and subscale values). Multiple linear regression analysis found that total FSFI-6 scores positively correlated with partner educational level and inversely (worse sexual function) with female age, partner issues (alcohol abuse and erectile dysfunction), and total HADS and urogenital and somatic MRS scores. Conclusions In this mid-aged Spanish sample, as assessed with a short and consistent tool, lower sexual function was related to menopausal and mood symptoms and several women and partner factors. Further research using this instrument is warranted.

Objective.: To assess the metabolic syndrome (METS) and its components in postmenopausal women using updated diagnostic criteria and explore their relation to menopausal symptom severity. Method.: Medical records of the first visit of 574 postmenopausal Caucasian Spanish women attending a menopause clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Recorded information included general demographic data, type of menopause, menopausal symptom intensity (Kupperman index) and baseline hormonal and metabolic parameters. METS was established if three or more of the following criteria were met: body mass index (BMI) >28.8 kg/m ² , fasting glycaemia >100 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) <50 mg/dL, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL and blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg. Results: Mean ± SD age of the whole cohort was 49.9 ± 6.1 years, 66% had natural menopause and 38.9% were obese. In all, 23.1% met diagnostic criteria for METS who were significantly older and displayed higher rates of being married, obesity and abnormal glucose, triglyceride, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure values, when compared with those without the syndrome. The mean Kupperman index score for the whole sample was 26.4 ± 10.6, with 73.8% displaying moderate to severe scores (20 or more). Logistic regression analysis determined that obesity and marriage status were independent risk factors related to more severe menopausal symptoms (Kupperman index scores of 20 or more). Conclusion.: Although METS was observed in a lower frequency than previous reports, obesity was associated with more severe menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal Spanish women.