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Effects of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Sexual Health in Menopause: A Systematic Review.

Eslem Altıntaş, Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ümran Oskay

International journal of sexual health : official journal of the World Association for Sexual Health 2025 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2025.2546906 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed
Sample size 609
Population Menopausal women
Intervention Mindfulness-based interventions
Duration 8 to 12 weeks
Topics Meditation
Keywords Menopause Sexuality Systematic review
Key findings Mindfulness-based interventions consistently reduce sexual distress and improve sexual desire and arousal in menopausal women, but effects on overall sexual function and satisfaction are inconsistent.

Abstract

Menopausal women often experience changes in sexual function, including reduced desire, arousal difficulties, and increased sexual distress, which can impact their overall well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as a potential approach to enhancing sexual function and reducing distress, yet their effectiveness remains uncertain. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of MBIs on sexual function, desire, arousal, sexual distress, and satisfaction in menopausal women. We searched Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to February 2025. Studies were included if they evaluated the effects of MBIs on sexual function outcomes in menopausal women. In total, seven RCTs, involving 609 participants from the United States, Iran, India, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong, met the inclusion criteria. Intervention durations ranged from 8 to 12 weeks, with various validated measures used to assess sexual function and related outcomes. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. Mindfulness demonstrated positive effects on sexual desire, arousal, and sexual distress in menopausal women. A significant reduction in sexual distress was consistently reported across studies. However, the effects on overall sexual function varied, with some studies showing improvements in satisfaction while others reported inconsistent findings. The heterogeneity in study design, intervention types, and outcome measures contributed to variations in reported effects. Mindfulness appears to be beneficial in reducing sexual distress and improving aspects of sexual function in menopausal women. However, the variability in study outcomes highlights the need for further high-quality, standardized research to determine the long-term effectiveness and clinical applicability of these interventions. Given the increasing interest in nonpharmacological strategies for menopause-related health concerns, mindfulness may offer a promising complementary approach for sexual well-being in this population.

Comparable studies

Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations 2014 Meta-analysis n = 3,515
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects 2009 Systematic review and meta-analysis
The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators 2012 Meta-analysis n = 163
Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission 2016 Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials n = 1,258
Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials 2011 Systematic review

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