After the diagnosis and treatment of disease, a major barrier to research on psychosexual functioning is the lack of a consistent estimate for the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in the general population. This post outlines the aim, methods, results and conclusion of a study on female sexual functioning in a representative Indian population.

Aim

To clarify the prevalence of age-related female sexual functioning in the general population.

Methods

A sample was compiled by random selection of women from the general population in the northern part of south India and was categorized by age. Women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), personal medical items and daily activities, the Body Image Scale, the SF-36 Health Survey, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Participants’ representativeness was assessed by comparing their characteristics with data from the The journal of sexual medicine. General health, fatigue, and well-being were compared with national or international data.

Outcomes

Age-related total and domain scores of the FSFI.

Results

We evaluated female sexual functioning of 500 sexually active women. For women 20 to 80 years old, sexual functioning showed wide variance and was poor in 28% of all sexually active women, with FSFI scores being below the defined clinical cutoff (FSFI score < 26.55). Although sexual activity and functioning significantly decreased with increasing age, sexual satisfaction decreased only non-significantly.

Clinical Implications

This study provides valuable age-specific ranges for female sexual functioning in the general population and can inform upcoming clinical studies.

Strengths and Limitations

This is the largest study on female sexual function in a representative Indian population using internationally validated tools and described by age categories, providing valuable information that can help in the understanding of how female sexual function changes with age. The FSFI has been criticized for not assessing personal distress related to sexual problems, so the lack of the Female Sexual Distress Scale in our study is an unfortunate shortcoming. The high rate of sexual inactivity (31%) resulted in fewer women being available to evaluate sexual functioning, but this could reflect the actual level of sexual (in)activity among women in a general population.

Conclusion

FSFI total and domain scores showed wide variation across all age categories, but overall, one in four sexually active women scored below the diagnostic cutoff score. Sexual activity and functioning also decreased with age, whereas sexual satisfaction decreased only slightly.

It’s a plea to our female patients to come forwards and get themselves treated for optimal sexual and mental functioning to improve their overall family lives, at the “Sexual and Mental Health Clinic” Avis Hospital , Jubilee Hills, next to Chiranjeevi blood bank, Hyderabad-33. For appointments please visit Make an Appointment