Temporal stability and clinical validation of the Spanish version of the female sexual function inventory (FSFI)

Physical manifestations of stress in women. Correlations between temporomandibular and pelvic floor disorders

INTRODUCTION

Stress is characterized as a challenging occurrence that triggers a physiological and/or behavioral allostatic response, alongside the demands typically encountered throughout the natural course of life. A sustained state of stress gives rise to secondary effects, including insomnia and neck pain. Also, the risk of musculoskeletal problems in the cervical and lumbar spine can be increased due to a sustained state of stress. The present study main objective is to study the association between orofacial and pelvic floor muscles in women in Spain.

METHODOLOGY

An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective analytical study was designed and carried out in the laboratories of the European University of Madrid. Sixty-five participants were recruited with a mean age of 29.9 ± 7.69. Measurements were taken by myotonometry on natural oscillation frequency (Hz), dynamic stiffness (N/m), elasticity (N/m2), mechanical stress relaxation time (ms) and creep, for the following muscles: right and left masseter, right and left temporalis and central fibrous nucleus of the perineum (CFPF). On the other hand, the subjects completed the following questionnaires: perceived stress scale (PSS-14), anxiety scale (STAI), self-reported bruxism questionnaire (CBA), Fonseca Anamnestic Index and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI).

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found in several parameters between the right temporalis and CFPF (p<0.05). Highlighting the correlation between TMDs and lubrication r = -0.254 (p = 0.041) and bruxism with pain in sexual intercourse r = 0.261 (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

The results support the proposed hypothesis. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study which relates both locations, and it is suggested to continue with the research and expand the knowledge of it.

Female sexual function index for screening of female sexual dysfunction using DSM-5-TR criteria in Thai women: A prospective cross-sectional diagnostic study

Thai Female Sexual Function Index discrimination using the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision criteria has not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the Female Sexual Function Index as a tool for assessing sexual symptoms and to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in Thai women using the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision criteria. This prospective cross-sectional diagnostic study included sexually active women aged ≥18 years, interviewed from January to June 2023. The participants completed the Thai version of a comprehensive of the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire encompassing general information and self-reported assessments of female sexual function, followed by a semi-structured interview of distress symptom severity. Female sexual function was determined by screening of the total Female Sexual Function Index score, whereas female sexual dysfunction was evaluated using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision criteria. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, a clinical cutoff for the Female Sexual Function Index score of 23.1 was determined to identify female sexual dysfunction (area under the curve, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.80; sensitivity, 75.6%; specificity, 67.7%; positive predictive value, 77.7%; negative predictive value, 65%). A prevalence of 40.2% for female sexual dysfunction was observed in the study population. The results of this study could be used as practical guidance for the screening of women affected by female sexual dysfunction in Thailand in the future.

Status of female sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Women's sexual health and physical desire for sex are most important for their emotional and physical well-being. This study aimed to examine the status of sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women in Bangladesh and assess the significant risk factors behind this.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 45-55 years in four public and private hospitals in Bangladesh from April 2021 to June 2021 using a multi-stage sampling technique to enroll the study participants. The female sexual function index (FSFI) scale measured the prevalence of FSD, and the relationship of independent risk factors were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The total score of FSFI among postmenopausal Bangladeshi women was 18.07 ± 8.51. Among 260 participants, the prevalence of FSD was 56.9%. Out of all the significant risk factors, increasing age, urban population group, multiparous, homemakers, duration of menopause, and postmenopausal women with no hormone therapy were significantly associated with FSD. In contrast, those with regular physical activity were protective of FSD.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, a significant proportion of postmenopausal Bangladeshi women are enduring sexual dysfunction. Proper hormonal therapy and non-hormonal therapies such as physical activity and pelvic floor muscle (Kegel) exercise with adequate counseling are helpful to cope in this distressing situation.

Somalian women with female genital mutilation had increased risk of female sexual dysfunction: a cross-sectional observational study

Studies regarding the impact of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) on sexual function are scarce. This study is the first to explore the rate of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among Somalian women who underwent FGM and its association with different FGM types. This study was carried out among women with a history of FGM who visited our clinic for a medical check-up. It relied on data including socio-demographic features, type of FGM determined by an examination, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores. Overall, 255 women were included. While 43.9% (n = 112) of the respondents had a history of Type 3 FGM, 32.2% had Type 2 (n = 82), and 23.9% had Type 1 (n = 61) FGM. Among all patients, 223 had FSD (87.6%). There was a significant association between the FGM type and FSD (p < 0.001). The mean total FSFI score for the patients with Type 1, 2, and 3 FGM was 22.5, 19.7, and 17.3, respectively, all indicating FSD. The FSD is prevalent among mutilated Somalian women. Patients with Type 3 FGM had the lowest mean total FSFI scores indicating that the impact on sexual function was correlated with the extent of tissue damage during FGM.

Going beyond "With a Partner" and "Intercourse": Does Anything Else Influence Sexual Satisfaction among Women? The Sexual Satisfaction Comprehensive Index

The validated tools for measuring sexual satisfaction (SS) assess in fact other phenomena such as sexual functioning, assess SS within the context of a romantic heterosexual relationship and intercourse-type activity or were designed to be applied only in therapeutic or rehabilitation contexts. Consequently, they offer an incomplete understanding of SS, particularly among women. We thus developed an alternative measure of SS, the Sexual Satisfaction Comprehensive Index (SSCI), considering both the individual and with-a-partner dimensions, as well as the actual and desired experiences of satisfaction, along with other dimensions affecting SS, and explored its psychometric properties. A total of 1080 young to mid-aged women with different sociodemographic, relationship and sexual identity backgrounds voluntarily completed several measures of SS, including the SSCI. Results showed that the SSCI is a reliable measure for assessing SS. An exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the latent multidimensional structure of the SSCI, supporting its factorial validity. In addition, the SSCI showed appropriate convergent validity with other measures commonly used to assess SS. In sum, the SSCI was revealed to be a useful multidimensional index of SS for research and practice contexts which allows the practitioner or the researcher to make decisions on which dimension(s) are to be evaluated. This study focused on women's SS, and future research with other gender, sexual and cultural identities is necessary to support its utility in multi-identity and multi-sexuality scenarios.

Sexual Satisfaction in Portuguese Women: Differences Between Women With Clinical, Self-Perceived and Absence of Sexual Difficulties

Objectives

Female sexual functioning and satisfaction are affected by the presence of sexual difficulties. The current study examines differences in sexual satisfaction according to three groups of women: (i) clinical sexual difficulties assessed by the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) cutoff; (ii) self-perceived sexual difficulties at a non-clinical level; and (iii) sexually healthy.

Methods

A convenience sample of 329 Portuguese women, with a mean age of 28.69 (SD = 8.78), answered a specific question on the presence of self-perceived sexual difficulties, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women and the FSFI. From the 329 women, 56 were assigned to the group with clinical sexual difficulties, 60 were assigned to the group with self-perceived sexual difficulties at non-clinical level, and 213 constituted the sexually healthy group.

Results

Sexually healthy women were more sexually satisfied compared with women who self-perceived sexual difficulties and women who had clinical sexual difficulties according to the FSFI. In addition, women who self-perceived sexual difficulties were also more sexually satisfied compared to women with clinical sexual difficulties according to the FSFI.

Conclusions

Women's sexual satisfaction was negatively affected by sexual difficulties assessed by the FSFI cutoff. Although with less impact, self-perceived sexual difficulties also negatively affect women's sexual satisfaction.