Are obstetrics and gynecology residents sexually satisfied?

There is a dearth of data on the impact of residency on resident sexual health. What exists utilizes the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), which primarily assess function and often refer to sexual activity as penetrative sexual intercourse. This presents a limited view on sexual activity and sexuality.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residency on resident sexual satisfaction using the gender and relationship neutral New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS).

Between July 2022 and August 2023, 137 current US OBGYN residents were recruited and completed questionnaires at three timepoints (baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) assessing their demographic data, city and level of training, work hours, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, and the NSSS.

We hypothesized that OBGYN residents in later years of residency would report lower sexual satisfaction than post graduate year one residents (PGY-1 s) and that sexual satisfaction would decrease later in OBGYN residency due to the cumulative effect of work stress.

There was a significant increase in NSSS total scores from baseline (M = 67.5) to 12 month follow-up (M = 72.1) in all residents. However, when the sample was stratified by year of residency, postgraduate year one residents (PGY-1 s) had a decrease in their NSSS total and subscale scores over time as compared to postgraduate year two residents and above who had an overall increase in their NSSS total and subscale scores over time.

This data presents evidence to support initiatives by OBGYN residency programs to support sexual health and resilience training and opens avenues for further research into sexual satisfaction in other medical subspecialities.

Strengths include utilizing a validated, gender neutral survey. Limitations include small sample size and opt-in study design.

The increase in sexual satisfaction in later years of OBGYN residency may be due to increased resilience over the course of residency. However, the unique stress of the transition from medical school to residency may be highlighted in the decrease in sexual satisfaction scores over time demonstrated in the PGY-1 s.