Incidence and persistence/recurrence of women's sexual difficulties: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Health and Relationships.
This study presents data on the prevalence, incidence, and persistence/recurrence of 8 sexual difficulties among women. Australian women participated in 2 computer-assisted interviews approximately 12 months apart. Analyses were based on a weighted sample of 2,252 women who were 20-64 years of age, sexually active in the past 12 months, and in the same heterosexual relationship at both interviews. Upon recruitment, two-thirds of women (66%) reported having one or more sexual difficulties. At follow-up, 36% reported a new sexual difficulty. The two highest incident difficulties were "lacking interest in having sex" (26%) and "taking too long to orgasm" (11%). In addition, 68% of women with 1 or more sexual difficulties at recruitment reported having at least 1 of these again at follow-up. Lacking interest in having sex had the highest persistence/recurrence (65%). Logistic regression modeling revealed a lower incidence of sexual difficulties among women in their 40s. Age was also a predictor of the persistence/recurrence, with persistence/recurrence most likely among older women. Tobacco and alcohol use predicted the incidence, but not persistence/recurrence, of lacking interest in sex. Health professionals need to take note of the sociodemographic groups most prone to developing and having persistent/recurrent sexual difficulties.
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. anthony.smith@latrobe.edu.au
Anthony M A
AM
Smith
Anthony
A
Lyons
Jason A
JA
Ferris
Juliet
J
Richters
Marian K
MK
Pitts
Julia M
JM
Shelley
Judy M
JM
Simpson
Wendy
W
Heywood
Kent
K
Patrick
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult