Frequency of Sexual Dysfunctions and Behaviors Among Women Attending Health Care Centers in West of Tehran

Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among women visiting psychiatrists. This study was performed to determine the frequency of sexual dysfunctions and behaviors among women attending health care centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences which are located in the west of Tehran. The association between these dysfunctions and different variables was assessed. The number of participants who thought their partners had sexual dysfunctions was determined. The study was performed from Oct 2017 until Oct 2018.

In this observational descriptive cross-sectional survey, 400 women attending health care centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences from Oct 2017 to Oct 2018 were enrolled and the frequency of sexual dysfunctions and behaviors among them and their partners was determined by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Quality of Sexual Function (QSF) questionnaire. Their general health was assessed by General Heath Questionnaire (GHQ).

In this study, the mean age of participants was 37.5 years and their mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 28.5 kg/m. Totally, 223 subjects (55.8%) had sexual dysfunctions, including satisfaction (42.5%), pain (36.8%), desire (28.5%), arousal (25%), lubrication (29.8%) and orgasm disorder (30.5%). The frequency of sexual dysfunction was not significantly related to age, BMI, mood disorder, psychosomatic problems, general health and somatic problems (p>0.05) and 8% of participants had masturbated at least once in their life.

It may be concluded that more than half of women attending health care centers had sexual dysfunctions in which satisfaction disorder was the most prevalent one.Also, 43% of participants thought that their partners had sexual dysfunction. These rates are high and would require further attention and assessment.