Problems with sexual function in people attending London general practitioners: cross sectional study

Area of Science:

• General Practice and Primary Care
• Sexual Health
• Mental Health

Background:

• Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent health concern impacting individuals across various demographics.
• Understanding the prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction in primary care settings is crucial for effective intervention.
• General practice serves as a key point of contact for individuals experiencing sexual health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnosed sexual dysfunction in patients attending general practice.
• To identify associations between sexual problems, psychological issues, and help-seeking behaviors.
• To assess predictors of ICD-10 diagnosed sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted across 13 general practices in London.
• Data were collected from 1065 women and 447 men attending these practices.
• Prevalence and predictors of ICD-10 diagnoses of sexual dysfunction were the primary outcome measures.

Main Results:

• 40% of women and 22% of men received at least one ICD-10 diagnosis, yet only 3-4% had related notes in their records.
• Common issues included erectile failure and loss of sexual desire in men, and loss of desire and orgasmic dysfunction in women.
• Independent predictors for women included increasing age, poor physical function, sexual dissatisfaction, and psychological morbidity. Bisexual orientation was the sole independent predictor in men.

Conclusions:

• Sexual difficulties are frequently encountered in general practice settings.
• A significant proportion of patients are willing to discuss sexual problems with their general practitioners.
• Targeted screening and intervention for sexual dysfunction in primary care are warranted.