Prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in women attending a medical clinic in south India.
BACKGROUND
Reports from India on the prevalence and determinants of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) are scant.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and risk factors for FSD.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey in a medical outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
We administered a Tamil version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to 149 married women. We evaluated putative risk factors for FSD. We elicited participant's attributions for their sexual difficulties.


METHODS
We estimated the prevalence of possible FSD and sexual difficulties from published FSFI total and domain cut-off scores. We used logistic regression to identify risk factors for possible FSD.


RESULTS
FSFI total scores suggested FSD in two-thirds of the 149 women (73.2%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 65.5% to 79.6%). FSFI domain scores suggested difficulties with desire in 77.2%; arousal in 91.3%; lubrication in 96.6%; orgasm in 86.6%, satisfaction in 81.2%, and pain in 64.4%. Age above 40 years (odds ratios [OR] 11.7; 95% CI 3.4 to 40.1) and fewer years of education (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.3) were identified by logistic regression as contributory. Women attributed FSD to physical illness in participant or partner, relationship problems, and cultural taboos but none had sought professional help.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual problems suggestive of dysfunction, as suggested by FSFI total and domain scores, are highly prevalent in the clinic setting, particularly among women above 40 and those less educated, but confirmation using locally validated cut-off scores of the FSFI is needed.
Singh
J C
JC
Department of Urology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. chandrasingh@cmcvellore.ac.in
Tharyan
P
P
Kekre
N S
NS
Singh
G
G
Gopalakrishnan
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult