title: The prevalence of the components of low sexual function and associated factors in middle-aged women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female sexual function depends on biological, psychological, and sociocultural contexts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of low levels of functioning in each of the sexual function domains (desire, arousal, and orgasm) and the factors associated with these phenomena, as well as to assess the frequency of sexual activity in this same sample population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted using an anonymous self-response questionnaire completed by 378 Brazilian-born women of 40-65 years of age with 11 years or more of formal education. The evaluation instrument was based on the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of low sexual desire was 60.6%; low arousal, 37%; and low orgasmic function, 31.1%. Multiple regression analysis showed that having a sexual partner (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.69, confidence interval [CI] = 0.53-0.90) and nervousness (PR = 1.33, CI = 1.01-1.75) were factors associated with low sexual desire. Aging (PR = 1.04, CI = 1.02-1.06), having a sexual partner (PR = 0.57, CI = 0.41-0.81), feeling well/excellent (PR = 0.59, CI = 0.41-0.85), and having hot flashes (PR = 1.47, CI = 1.01 = 2.15) were factors found to be associated with low sexual arousal. Having a sexual partner (PR = 0.55, CI = 0.42-0.71), feeling well/excellent (PR = 0.68, CI = 0.49-0.94), and having hot flashes (PR = 2.08, CI = 1.43 = 3.04) were factors found to be associated with low sexual orgasmic function. Having a sexual partner (PR = 0.47, CI = 0.38-0.58), feeling well/excellent (PR = 0.78, CI = 0.69-0.89), and having hot flashes (PR = 1.15, CI = 1.05-1.26) were factors found to be associated with a frequency of sexual activity of once a week or less.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this sample of middle-aged women, low sexual desire was the most prevalent sexual problem. These results highlight the importance of identifying and treating factors associated with each individual component of low female sexual function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. anarvaladares@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia Ribeiro
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Valadares
authors.forename: Aarão Mendes
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pinto-Neto
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Maria José Duarte
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Osis
authors.forename: Lúcia Helena Simões
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: da Costa Paiva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires