title: Insufficient assessment of sexual dysfunction: a problem in gynecological practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual health is an important part of a woman's life and well-being. Female sexual dysfunction is a complicated problem, it is often underestimated in the healthcare process, and its management is complex. Giving women the opportunity to talk about sexual problems is a fundamental part of healthcare and may improve their quality of life. The aim of this study was to find out patients' experience and attitudes toward the involvement of gynecologists addressing sexual issues, to disclose the main barriers to initiate a conversation, and to assess the prevalence of sexual disorders among patients in a gynecological clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based approach was used to survey 18- to 50-year-old voluntary patients in the gynecological clinic. The study population comprised 300 different gynecological (except oncologic) patients independently of reasons for being in the clinic. The duration of the study was 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one-third of the patients had ever been asked about their sexual life by a gynecologist, whilst the majority (80%) of the respondents reported they would like to be asked abaut and discuss sexual issues. The patients mostly did not complain because of psychoemotional barriers, and shame was the main barrier for patients to talk about their problems. Sexual dysfunction was a frequent disorder among gynecological patients, reaching especially high levels in the arousal (46.41%) and lubrication (40.67%) domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assessment of sexual health is insufficient in gynecological care, and sexual history-taking and evaluation of sexual functions should be included in routine gynecological health assessments.
authors.affiliation: Ciekurkalna 8 skl. 7-4, 1006 Riga, Latvia. dr.briedite@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ieva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Briedite
authors.forename: Gunta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ancane
authors.forename: Andrejs
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ancans
authors.forename: Renars
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult