Strategies to promote the provision of sexual health services during menopause: a qualitative study from the perspective of menopausal women and healthcare providers in Isfahan city, Iran.

Background: It is important to care for the sexual function of women during menopause as it can affect their quality of life. However, the services related to this area have been neglected in the health system and are not provided at the desired level. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify strategies to promote the provision of sexual health services during menopause in Isfahan city, Iran.

Methods: Participants of this qualitative study consisted of 19 menopausal women and 15 health service providers with work experience in providing sexual health services to menopausal women, selected using purposive sampling with maximum variation in the city of Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured individual interviews plus field notes and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis.

Results: Data analysis led to the extraction of three main categories: 1-providing comprehensive and client-centered care with five sub-categories, namely "screening and active search for recognition of sexual dysfunction", "compliance with cultural considerations in service delivery", "tailoring treatment plans for individual patients", "collaborative decision-making approach", and "improving specialty care follow-up"; 2- improving infrastructure for better service delivery with three sub-categories, namely "allocation of appropriate physical space", "strengthening teamwork and interdisciplinary cooperation", and "provision of cost-effective services"; and 3- expanding services as well as enhancing access with five sub-categories, namely "integration of sexual health services in primary health care", "using telemedicine to provide services", "expansion of intersectoral relations", "introducing sexual health services", and "conducting research on sexual health services".

Conclusions: The results emphasize the importance of providing comprehensive and client-centered services and care, improving service delivery infrastructure, expanding services, and promoting access to sexual health to enhance the sexual function of postmenopausal women. Through these strategies, healthcare systems can significantly contribute to improving postmenopausal women's sexual functioning and ultimately their quality of life.