title: Duration of hypertension and antihypertensive agents in correlation with the phases of female sexual response cycle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the construct of the phases of the female sexual response cycle (SRC) in women with hypertension and their association with the duration of hypertension and types of antihypertensive agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sexual response phases were measured with a validated Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The correlations structure of the items of the SRC's phases (i.e. desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) was determined using principal component analysis (PCA), with varimax rotation method. The number of factors obtained was decided using Kaiser's criteria. A total of 348 hypertensive women were recruited for this study. Four constructs were extracted in the analysis of all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the factor analysis, the six domains (i.e. sexual desire, arousal, etc.) of the women's SRC among hypertensive women merged into 4 constructs. They were composed of (i) sexual desire and arousal, (ii) orgasm and sexual satisfaction, (iii) vaginal lubrication and (iv) sexual pain. Interestingly, vaginal lubrication stood out alone as one construct, compared to the non-hypertensive women. It was also observed that the duration of hypertension, beta blocker and diuretic antihypertensive medications had different influence on the SCR (in terms of constructs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Duration of hypertension and types of antihypertensive drugs may affect the components of the SRC. A clear understanding would help the clinician in strategizing the treatment approach of sexual dysfunction in women with hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Rozimah Abdul
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Latif
authors.forename: Rosediani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muhamad
authors.forename: Anne Yee Hway
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Ann
authors.forename: Hatta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sidi
authors.forename: Nik Ruzyanei
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Nik Jaafar
authors.forename: Marhani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midin
authors.forename: Srijit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Loh Huai
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Seng
authors.forename: Ng Chong
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Guan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents