Sexual dysfunction in women: An overview of risk factors and prevalence in Indian women

Abstract

Objective: To detect the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and also to investigate possible risk factors that may cause sexual dysfunction in the Indian women. Materials and methods: The prospective study consisted of 500 women between ages 18 and 66 years from different sociocultural areas. The women were divided into five groups according to their ages <24 years (n = 129), 24 to 30 years (n = 182), 31 to 37 years (n = 125), 38 to 42 years (n = 22), >42 years (n = 42). Female sexual function was assessed with a detailed 19-item FSFI questionnaire to evaluate five domains of sexual dysfunction, i.e. desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and pain. Demographic characteristics and medical risk factors were evaluated and findings were compared between the women with and without sexual dysfunction. Results: Based on total sexual function score, 278 (55.6%) of total 500 patients had sexual dysfunction. The commonest dysfunction was orgasmic (91.7%) followed by lubrication (89.2%). Out of 278 patients, 53 patients (19%) were in the age of more than 38 years in the FSD group. Female sexual dysfunction was more prevalent in illiterate women, 7.19% patients were illiterate in the FSD group as compared to 3.15% patients in the women with no FSD (p = 0.04). It shows that prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was significantly higher in the older age group and in illiterate patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction rises with age, lower education level, chronic disease and menopausal status.