title: Correlation of question 15 of the FSDS-DAO with clinician evaluation of female orgasmic disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female orgasmic disorder (FOD) is the second most frequently reported sexual dysfunction in women. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the term "marked distress" is central to the diagnosis of FOD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Objectives of this study were to explore terminology used by women diagnosed with FOD to describe their associated feelings and establish a correlation between patient ratings of question 15, "How often do you feel frustrated by problems with orgasm" on the Female Sexual Distress Score/Desire Arousal Orgasm (FSDS-DAO) with clinician evaluations of FOD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research was performed at one sexual medicine facility. Recruited participants were patients diagnosed with FOD. Fifteen women meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled, completed the FSDS-DAO and a structured interview to assess terminology associated with orgasm difficulties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient reported terminology for characterization of FOD, validity of question 15 of FSDS-DAO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When asked to describe their orgasm difficulties, 60% of participants said "frustrated." Other terms included disappointed, pariah, subhuman, desperate, and concerned. Fifty-three percent (53%) claimed their inability to orgasm affected day-to-day life. In participants where FOD did not affect day-to-day life, 57% actively suppressed thoughts about inability to orgasm. Responses to question 15 of the FSDS-DAO ranged from 2-4 (mean 3.6) indicating participants were very frustrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To diagnose FOD, clinicians assess the level of associated distress through individualized patient interviews with no standardized tool. The term "distressed" is a medical construct and did not resonate with participants when describing their experience. participants used "frustrated" as an emotional descriptor to their sexual experience and scored high on question 15 of the FSDS-DAO. This study demonstrates the FSDS-DAO, specifically question 15, correlates well with the clinician diagnosis of marked distress and may be an appropriate tool for evaluating treatment benefit in the FOD population.
authors.affiliation: Trimel Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jodi B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dickstein
authors.forename: Sue W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tkachenko
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kreppner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005639:Frustration; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009948:Orgasm; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Female Orgasmic Disorder; Female Sexual Distress Score; Patient Reported Outcome