Female sexual dysfunction in a healthy Austrian cohort: prevalence and risk factors

Data on prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) are rare, particularly from Europe. Aim of our study was therefore to investigate this issue in a cohort of women undergoing a health investigation.

A consecutive series of women aged 20-80 years participating in a health-screening project in Vienna underwent a detailed health investigation and completed a 23-item questionnaire on several aspects of FSD including desire, arousal, pain and orgasmic disorders. Prevalence of FSD in different age groups and risk factors for FSD were calculated.

A total of 703 women aged 43+/-15 years entered this study. Within the total study population, 22% reported on desire disorders, 35% on arousal disorders, and 39% on orgasmic problems, all of which increased significantly with age. Pain disorders were reported by 12.8% being most frequently in the women aged 20-39 years. In women aged 60-69 years, still 50% reported having at least "occasionally" sexual desire and 30% had more than two sexual intercourses per month. In this age group, 50% stated that a healthy sexual life is at least moderately important to them. Apart from age few risk factors for FSD were identified. Sportive activity was the only correlate to desire- and arousal disorders, psychological stress for orgasmic disorders.

This study provides insights into age-specific changes of FSD in apparently healthy women. The importance of this subject is underlined by the high prevalence of FSD particularly in the elderly paralleled by a persisting interest in sexual activity.