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Brief sexual inquiry in gynecologic practice.
G A Bachmann1, S R Leiblum, J Grill
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Gynecologic patients often experience sexual dysfunction, with dyspareunia and decreased desire being most common. Routine questioning by gynecologists can identify these issues, which are often treatable.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Sexual Health
- Women's Health
Background:
- Sexual concerns and dysfunctions are common in women.
- These issues may go unreported in routine gynecologic visits.
- Early identification is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sexual concerns and dysfunctions in gynecologic outpatients.
- To assess the effectiveness of direct questioning in identifying these issues.
- To categorize common sexual complaints and identify demographic correlations.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 887 consecutive gynecologic outpatients.
- Inclusion of two specific questions about sexual function in medical history.
- Analysis of spontaneously reported vs. prompted sexual complaints.
Main Results:
- Only 3% of women spontaneously reported sexual concerns.
- An additional 16% acknowledged problems when directly asked.
- Dyspareunia (48%) and decreased sexual desire (21%) were the most frequent complaints.
- Sexual complaints were more prevalent in women aged 50 and older.
Conclusions:
- A brief sexual inquiry is effective in uncovering prevalent sexual concerns in gynecologic practice.
- Most identified sexual complaints are manageable by gynecologists.
- Routine screening for sexual dysfunction should be integrated into gynecologic care.