title: Physiologic measures of sexual function in women: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review and describe physiologic measures of assessing sexual function in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies that use instruments designed to measure female sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women participating in studies of female sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Various instruments that measure physiologic features of female sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appraisal of the various instruments, including their advantages and disadvantages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many unique physiologic methods of evaluating female sexual function have been developed during the past four decades. Each method has its benefits and limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many physiologic methods exist, but most are not well-validated. In addition there has been an inability to correlate most physiologic measures with subjective measures of sexual arousal. Furthermore, given the complex nature of the sexual response in women, physiologic measures should be considered in context of other data, including the history, physical examination, and validated questionnaires. Nonetheless, the existence of appropriate physiologic measures is vital to our understanding of female sexual function and dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 3750 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Woodard
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D001472:Bartholin's Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D002987:Clitoris / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D010991:Plethysmography; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014599:Uterus / Q000601:surgery; D014621:Vagina / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology