We thank the reader for his comments on our manuscript entitled “Stress, anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women in Shiraz, Iran, 2015.” We respond to the three comments raised by the critical reader.
With regard to comment 1, it should be noted that these clinics were not specific to menopausal women. Therefore, no expert services such as hormone therapy and counseling were provided. In fact, the participants were referred to these clinics for other reasons such as sore throat and dental care
We appreciate comment 2 presented by this reader, and we believe that physical and obstetric variables might affect the mental status of postmenopausal women. However, this study was to explore the relationship between sexual dysfunction and mental problems (stress, anxiety, and depression). To find the cause-and-effect relationship between these variables as well as mediator or confounder variables, more research studies, especially ones on intervention would be recommended. However, we will take this into account in our future studies
With respect to point 3, the infertility caused by menopause might be a reason for psychological disorders. However, this study was trying to explore the relationship between sexual dysfunction and mental problems (stress, anxiety, and depression). To find the cause and effect relationship between these variables and mediator or confounder variables, more research studies, especially ones on intervention would be recommended.
Overall, we conducted this research as a base for other researches. Some variables can affect mental health in postmenopausal age which consequently affects the sexual dysfunction, but more research is required to find the effect of confounders on these variables.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.