Female sexual dysfunction: prevalence and risk factors

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Women's Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Sexual dysfunction significantly impacts women's quality of life, self-esteem, and relationships.
• Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent issue with potential psychopathological implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of FSD among women of Kurdish culture in western Iran.
• To identify associated risk factors contributing to FSD in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with 400 married women aged 18-50.
• The Iranian version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used for interviews.
• Participants were randomly selected from four primary health centers in Ilam-IR.

Main Results:

• 46.2% of women reported experiencing FSD.
• FSD prevalence increased with age, rising from 22% in women under 20 to 75.7% in those aged 40-50.
• Key risk factors included older age (>40), infrequent sexual intercourse (<3 times/week), longer marriage duration (≥10 years), higher number of children (≥3), older husband (>40), and unemployment. Lower educational level was also inversely correlated with FSD risk.

Conclusions:

• FSD represents a significant public health concern among Kurdish women in Iran.
• Further research is needed, focusing on physician awareness and competency in managing FSD.
• Public health strategies should address the identified risk factors to mitigate FSD prevalence.