title: Sexual problems in the gynecology clinic: are we making a mountain out of a molehill?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to assess the prevalence of sexual problems in general gynecology and urogynecology clinics using a simple screening tool and to compare the prevalence between patients presenting with gynecology or urogynecology complaints.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients attending (uro)gynecology clinics completed three screening questions for sexual problems to be assessed. A fourth question was later introduced to address sexual problems which bother them. Student's t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1,194 women, 37% had a sexual complaint. Seventeen percent volunteered this information as part of their main complaint, while the remaining only admitted it on questioning. The last 290 questionnaires included the question on "bother." Of these, 37% had a sexual complaint and only 45% found them bothersome. Multivariate analysis showed that urogynecology complaints were significantly associated with sexual complaints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As most women only volunteer symptoms when asked directly, clinicians should be vigilant in identifying sexual problems but always establish the question of bother to avoid over-diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Croydon (Mayday) University Hospital, 530 London Road, Croydon, Surrey CR77YE, UK.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Abdul H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: Ranee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thakar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D030881:Disclosure; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications