Self-reported assessment of female sexual function among Brazilian undergraduate healthcare students: a cross-sectional study (survey)

Sexual dysfunction in migraine-affected women: A prospective cross-sectional controlled study

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common health problem that is inadequately investigated in Arabic countries, especially Saudi Arabia.

Aim

To assess the prevalence and trace predictors of FSD in Saudi women who suffered from migraine headaches comparable to healthy women.

Patients and methods

A prospective cross-sectional, controlled study involved 400 Saudi women complaining of migraine (Case Group) and another 400 healthy-looking Saudi women (Control Group) during three months; from January 1st, to March 31st 2023, in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected by using a pre-structured Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q), with an evaluation of the severity of pain by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and its impact on daily activity by using both; Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire.

Results

A total of 800 Saudi women were recruited. Their ages ranged from 18 to 45 years old. Women with abnormally low FSFI scores were 375 (93.75 %) out of 400 with migraine and 85 (21.25 %) out of 400 without migraine. The lowest FSFI scores were mainly for desire (2.75 ± 1.05) and arousal domains (3.0 ± 1.12) followed by sexual satisfaction (3.25 ± 1.30) and orgasmic domains (3.5 ± 1.15). The foremost predictive factor behind low FSFI scores and associated FSD in our study was migraine (P < 0.00001). Additional predictors of statistical significance were low educational level (P < 0.01), urban residency (P < 0.02), high parity (P < 0.02), chronic illness such as diabetes (P < 0.01), and bad habits such as smoking (P < 0.03).

Conclusion

A significant correlation exists between migraine and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Desire and arousal dysfunctions were the most significantly affected domains followed by satisfaction and orgasmic problems.

Self-Perception of Sexual Dysfunction of Adult Brazilian Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction (SD) comprises disorders in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and lubrication. The importance of self-perceived SD relies on its relation to personal values, sex education, and partnership. We aimed to analyze the association between self-perceived SD and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in adult women of reproductive age and the correlation between age and sexual function.

Material and Methods

This analytical cross-sectional study included 285 women aged 18 to 49 years, sexually active for at least four weeks, cisgender and heterosexual, and with Internet access. Women were divided into control (CG, control group; without SD) or study group (SG, study group; with SD) and responded to a self-applicable online survey containing a sociodemographic characterization, an interview about SD knowledge, and the FSFI test. The Chi-square test of independence (χ2) analyzed the association between self-perceived SD and FSFI-assessed SD. Pearson's correlation coefficient investigated the correlation between age and FSFI.

Results

Included women had a mean age of 29.57 years ± 7.11 years. Self-perceived SD showed a moderate association (Cramer's V = 0.590) with the FSFI score (χ2 [2] = 91.500; p < 0.001). A weak, negative, and significant correlation was observed between age and the FSFI desire domain (r = -0.120; p = 0.030; r2 = 1.440).

Conclusion

Women with self-perceived SD were 68% more likely to present FSFI-assessed SD. Regarding the FSFI desire domain, sexual function decreased with age.

The association between sexual function, quality of marital relationship and associated factors in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy: a cross-sectional study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) has many adverse effects on the relationship between couples. The present study aims to assess the association between sexual function (SF), quality of marital relationship (QMR) and associated factors in women with a history of EP.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was performed on 220 women with a history of EP in Kerman in 2022. Convenience sampling method was applied. Data were collected using the female sexual function index (FSFI) and the perceived relationship quality components scale (PRQC) questionnaires and were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics (median regression) in Stata software version 17. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the female participants, 20.4% had sexual dysfunction (SD). Longer duration of marriage (P = 0.045) and increase in the number of EPs (P < 0.001) were associated with a decrease in SF. A quarter of women experienced poor QMR. Increase in spouse age (P = 0.047), longer duration of marriage (P = 0.028), and increase in the number of EPs (P < 0.001) were associated with a decrease in QMR. There was a significant direct relationship between SF and the QMR (r = 0.857; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed a significant relationship between SF and the QMR in women with a history of EP. Therefore, SF and the QMR are necessary to be considered in future health promotion programs of these women.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction Among Sexually Active Students of the University of Buea

INTRODUCTION

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common public health issue. Most studies, especially in the sub-Saharan region are typically carried out in the older married female population, but the post-secondary education period is crucial for the development of the sexuality of young women. Poor awareness and management of FSD may lead to adverse physical and psychosocial complications later on in the lives of these women.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of the risk of having FSD and the factors associated with having FSD among sexually active students of the University of Buea.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the University of Buea involving 405 sexually active students; 16 years of age and above. Quantitative data on sociodemographic, biological, interpersonal and psychosocial characteristics were collected. A validated Japanese modified version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-J) was used to assess the risk of having female sexual dysfunction. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, binary and multivariate logistic analyses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of risk of having FSD and its associated factors among students of the University of Buea.

RESULTS

A total of 171 (42.0%) out of 405 students showed a risk of having at least one form of FSD. The commonest forms of dysfunction were problems of sexual pain (46.9%), orgasm (42.0%), desire (29.1%) and arousal (21.2%). Participants who were unmarried but in a relationship (P = .002) were less likely to experience FSD. Lower levels of education (first year [P = .005], second year [P = .001]), having a history of sexual assault (P = 0.012) and poor health (P = .012) were all independently associated with a higher risk of having FSD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of students at risk of having FSD was high with 4 out of every 10 students showing a risk of having at least one form. Lower levels of education, having a history of sexual assault and poor health were independent risk factors of FSD. Being unmarried but in a relationship was the sole protective factor against FSD. Halle-Ekane GE, Timti LF, Tanue EA, Ekukole CM, Yenshu EV. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction Among Sexually Active Students of the University of Buea. Sex Med 2021;9:100402.

Disfunção sexual em mulheres com câncer do colo do útero submetidas à radioterapia: análise de conceito

Resumo Objetivo analisar o conceito de disfunção sexual em mulheres com câncer do colo do útero submetidas a tratamento radioterápico. Método estudo de análise de conceito fundamentado no referencial metodológico proposto por Walker e Avant, o qual é composto por oito etapas: seleção do conceito; determinação dos objetivos da análise conceitual; identificação dos possíveis usos do conceito; determinação dos atributos críticos ou essenciais; construção de um caso modelo; construção de casos adicionais; identificação dos antecedentes e consequentes do conceito; e definição das referências empíricas. Resultados a amostra final resultou em 11 artigos, que identificaram 4 atributos críticos, 18 antecedentes e 07 consequentes do conceito, os quais permitiram a construção de uma definição conceitual e elaboração de um caso-modelo, com a finalidade de exemplificar o contexto social no qual o conceito encontra-se inserido. Conclusão e implicações para prática alterações na estrutura corporal, déficit de conhecimento, diminuição da frequência das relações sexuais, dispareunia e indiferença do parceiro são alguns dos principais antecedentes e consequentes da disfunção sexual na população estudada. Entretanto, esses fatores ainda são pouco conhecidos, o que limita a realização de ações de promoção, prevenção e reabilitação sexual, sobretudo no campo da enfermagem.

Is There an Association Between Contraception and Sexual Dysfunction in Women? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Female Sexual Function Index

BACKGROUND

A growing body of research investigates the sexual functioning status in women with contraceptives use; however, the evidence is still inconclusive.

AIM

To examine whether contraceptives use is associated with a higher risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

METHODS

The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and PsychINFO were systematically screened for eligible studies before December 2019. We only included those studies assessing women's sexual functioning by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). This study was registered on the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020167723, http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).

OUTCOMES

The strength of the association between contraceptives use and risk of FSD was presented by calculating the standard mean dierences (SMDs) and the relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled results were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies (7 cross-sectional studies, 3 cohorts, and 1 case-control study) involving 9,427 participants were included. The mean age in the contraceptive users ranged from 22.5 ± 2.4 years to 38.2 ± 4.6 years, while the mean age in the nonusers was 22.5 ± 2.4 years to 36.0 ± 1.0 years. Pooled results showed that no significant difference in the total FSFI scores was observed between contraceptives use and noncontraception (SMD = -1.03, 95% CI: -2.08 to 0.01, P = .053; heterogeneity: I² = 98.2%, P < .001). In line with this finding, the pooled RR also yielded no association between contraception use and the risk of FSD (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.72-2.28, P = .392; heterogeneity: I² = 76.0%, P = .0015). However, the subscale sexual desire showed a significant reduction in women who received contraceptives than those did not use contraception (SMD = -1.17, 95% CI: -2.09 to -0.24, P = .014; heterogeneity: I² = 97.7%, P < .001), while no significant differences were found in sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domain.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Though evidence from this meta-analysis did not support an association between contraceptives use and the risk of FSD, the sexual desire could be significantly impaired by contraceptives use.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

This is the first meta-analysis quantifying the relationship between contraceptives use and the risks of FSD. However, substantial heterogeneities were presented across the included studies.

CONCLUSION

No direct association between contraceptives use and the risk of FSD was found. Nevertheless, declining sexual desire was significantly associated with contraceptives use. Additional double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are still warranted. Huang M, Li G, Liu J, et al. Is There an Association Between Contraception and Sexual Dysfunction in Women? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Female Sexual Function Index. J Sex Med 2020;17:1942-1955.