Lebanese women and sexuality: A qualitative inquiry

• The study is first of its kind in Lebanon; it provides insights into Lebanese women's sexuality as socially scripted.
• Women in the study perceived sexual life as fundamental for the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of men and women.
• Sexuality and youthfulness were regarded as mutually linked, rendering ageing and menopause incompatible with sexual life.
• Women described satisfying their husband's sexual needs in return, they gain their cooperation to maintain the family bonds.
• Health professionals, mostly midwives, should deliver sexual healthcare that are contextually bound and culturally sensitive.

ObjectivesThis study explores the meanings middle-aged Lebanese women attribute to sexuality and sexual life and how these constructs are shaped socially, culturally, and politically.Study designUsing a qualitative design, data generation comprised semistructured individual interviews (n = 18) and one focus group (n = 5) with Lebanese women aged 40–55 years. Framework analysis was used for data analysis.ResultsInductive analysis identified four themes: Sexuality as imposed by sociocultural and gender norms; sexuality as a symbol of youthful femininity; sexual life as a fundamental human need; and sexual life as a marital unifier and family stabiliser. Findings show that women's sexual self is largely defined based on men's needs. Women sacrifice themselves to maintain family cohesiveness, which they regard as the core of society. However, some women challenged social norms and therefore bringing new meanings to their sexuality.ConclusionThis study offers new contextual information about the understanding of sexuality of middle-aged women within a Lebanese context, where the topic is not openly discussed. New insights are important to provide women with professional support that is culturally sensitive and appropriate.