Factors Associated with Female Sexual Problems among Women attending Cairo University Hospital

Abstract

Background: Sexuality is an important and complex health problem that affects the quality of life and general well-being for men, women, and public health.

Methods: Descriptive Correlation design was adopted to assess factors associated with female sexual problems on 361 women aged from 18-42 years old that were recruited from about 3284 women who attended gynecological and family planning outpatient clinic at Cairo University hospital, Egypt. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule to assess female general history and female’s sexual problems.

Results: The current study revealed that 57.3% of the sample had sexual problems including  vaginal dryness, lack of genital sensation during sexual activity, lack of sexual desire, lack of orgasm, pain during sexual activity and lack of sexual satisfaction were 42.9%, 15.8%, 25.5%, 36.01%, 32.7% and 47.8% respectively. Also, the result revealed that, 60% felt sexual desire at least once a week. There was a negative correlation between female sexual problems and types of house, years of marriage, differences between sexual knowledge and actual sexual experience (p=0.01, p=0.05, p=0.02 respectively). Moreover, there was a positive statistical significant correlation between female sexual problems and women’s age, using contraception, families’ interference, and female genital mutilation (p=0.04, p=0.03, p=0.01, p= 0.05 respectively). Surprisingly, there were no statistical correlation between female sexual problems and women’ educational level, occupation, number of children, pelvic surgeries, genital tract infection, and emotional closeness (p= 0.31, p=0.40, p=0.33, p=0.23, p=0.45, p= 0.06 respectively).

Conclusion: We still have no statistical results regarding the real picture of this problem, because of the sensitivity of dealing with the sexual problems whether in male or female. It is a social issue that needs further researches in the future and counseling program to manage sexual problems at the primary health care.

Keywords: sexual problems, sexual dysfunction, female, factors