Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in healthy women in Turkey

Abstract

Objectives

This is a cross sectional study conducted in order to determine sexual dysfunction in healthy women and risk factors.

Patients and methods

The population of the study consisted of 282 women. The whole of the population, without sample selection, was included in the study. For data, questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index-FSFI, whose Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted, were used. Student t and chi-square significant tests and logistic regression analysis were used to carry out statistical analysis.

Results

It was found that 35.8% of 282 women who participated in the study were in the age range of 30–39 years, 54.6% had high school educational level or above, and 59.6% worked. Prevalence was determined as 53.2% FSFI score < 26 according to Female Sexual Function Index FSFI; 23% of the women had complaints about urinary incontinence UI. According to logistic regression results, it is determined that CFB risk is increased in patients with age and urination problem. It was determined that there was no significant correlation between income, number of children, prceived economic status, dyspareunia, having problem with the partner, experiencing premenstrual syndrome, and SD.

Conclusion

In this study, approximately half of healthy women had SD and development of SD was affected based on some descriptive characteristics. As sexual life was considered as a factor increasing life quality, it was thought that it is fairly important to discuss the questioning of problems related to sexual life for systematic evaluation of patients, as well.

Background

Sexual dysfunction in women is a public health issue with many physical and psychological outcomes, that affects women's quality of life¹. Sexuality is a complex process related to neurological, vascular and endocrine systems. It also includes familial, social, and religious beliefs².

Female sexual dysfunction FSD is a common problem and negatively influences life quality. Sexual dysfunction is defined as a permanent or recurrent decrease in sexual desire or arousal, having difficulty/insufficiency with success of achieving orgasm, and feeling pain during sexual intercourse³. SD has been stated as a sexual problem that adult women may experience at the rate of 40–45% in any time of their lives³. Complex interaction of several genetic, biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors play a role in etiology of SD^4–6. The most common risk factors of SD are general health condition of individuals, presence of diabetes mellitus, presence of cardiovascular disorder, coexistence of other genitourinary disorders, psychiatric and psychological disorders, other chronic disorders, and socio-demographic characteristics³.

Sexual dysfunction may significantly affect individual's mood, self-confidence, life quality and may cause breakdown of interpersonal relationship and emotional stress⁷. Sexual dysfunction may be physically worrying, emotionally stressful, and socially destructive for several women⁸. In a previous study, it was stated that physical and emotional health of women experiencing sexual dysfunction was worse⁹. In another study, it was found that if a woman was not comfortable with sexuality, this resulted in interparental conflict and divorce and reproduction was influenced². Sexual dysfunction between spouses has been reported as the second underlying reason for divorce in Muslim countries¹⁰.

As it is in several cultures, sexuality is an issue that is also assumed as a taboo, ignored by women, and is not considered very much by healthcare professionals in Turkey. This condition may make negative impacts on life quality deeper by causing sexual problems to become more complex and harder to solve. However, it is very important to discuss questioning about sexual life in systematic evaluation of patients when sexual life is considered as a factor that enhances quality of life. Therefore, the study was conducted in order to examine sexual dysfunction and reasons in healthy women in age group of 15–49 years and to draw attention of healthcare professionals on this issue.

Objectives

Sexual dysfunction SD is a complex health problem affected by numerous anatomic, psychological, medical, and social factors. This is a cross sectional study conducted in order to determine sexual dysfunction in healthy women; and its risk factors.

Material and methods

Study design

This study was a cross sectional one conducted in order to determine sexual dysfunction and its reasons in healthy women. The data were collected from women who attended the gynecology outpatient clinic of a University Hospital between 1 April and 30 June 2016. Inclusion criteria of the sample were determined as being older than 20 years, agreeing to participate in the study, married, not breastfeeding, not being pregnant, and not going through menopause. The women who were diagnosed with any type of systemic disorder, such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, etc., using medicine continuously due to any reason, and were at one year period of postpartum were excluded from the study. The sample of the study consisted of 282 women who attended the outpatient clinic for various complaints or control between specified date and met the criteria.

Instruments and measures

The data were collected by using face-to-face interview technique via a questionnaire developed by the researchers after the relevant literature review^2,10–13. A questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index-FSFI, whose Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted, were used as data collection tool¹⁴. In the questionnaire, risk factors that may influence socio-demographic, obstetric, and sexual functions of the women were questioned. Age, education, employment status, income, health insurance, and duration of marriage were evaluated as demographic characteristics. For obstetric characteristics, number of children, type of birth, and status of using family planning method were assessed. Urinary incontinence, vaginal route infection, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), premature ejaculation problem of partner, erection problem of partner, and experiencing premenstrual syndrome were evaluated as factors related to sexual dysfunction.

FSFI is a Likert type scale consisting of 19 items and evaluating sexual dysfunction in women. Validity and reliability study of FSFI was conducted by Rosen et al.¹⁴, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.82 and test reliability was 0.79- 0.86. Scale's Turkish validity and reliability analysis was conducted by Oksuz and Malhan¹⁵. Scale consists of 6 separate titles: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Each title in this scale was scored between 0 or 1 and 6. Score range of overall scale was between 2 minimum score and 36 maximum score. High score indicates better function. In this study Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.81 and existence of sexual dysfunction in this study was also accepted in women who had a score of 26.55 and below¹⁶.

Data analysis

The data were evaluated by using SPSS 10.0 packaged software and complementary statistics of the data were assessed by using percentage distribution and mean. Student t and chi-square significance tests were used in order to determine possible correlations between dependent and independent variables. Logistic regression analysis method was utilized for detecting risk factors that may cause sexual dysfunction.

Ethical principles

In order to conduct this study, ethical approval of Atatürk University Institutional of Health Sciences Review Board according to the Declaration of Helsinki IRB No. CMUH-2016/03/9 was received. As the questions had to be answered voluntarily, we informed the participants that they were free in participating in the study and we assured their willingness and voluntariness. There after, the participants were informed and their questions were answered about the study. They were also informed that they could withdraw from the study anytime, and this would not care received at the clinic.

Results

As descriptive characteristics of the women participating in the study were examined; it was found that duration of marriage was 14.58±10.40, the number of children was 2.23±0.99, and frequency of intercourse was 1.08±068; 35.8% of the women were in age group of 30–39 years, 54.6% of the women and 69.5% of their husbands had high school level and above education, 59.6% of the women were employed, 54.6% of their husbands were civil servants, and 87.2% stated their perceived economic condition as medium-good; 72.5% of the women also expressed that they used modern method, and 71.5% had had normal delivery Table 1.

Table 1.

Distribution of women's descriptive characteristics

Characteristics	Mean	sd
Duration of marriage	14.58	10.40
Number of children	2.23	0.99
Frequency of intercourse Week	1.08	0.68
Age 20–29 30–39 40–49 50 and older	72 101 76 33	25.5 35.8 27.0 11.7
Educational Level Secondary school and below High school and above	128 154	45.4 54.6
Educational level of Husband Secondary school and below High school and above	86 196	30.5 69.5
Employment Status Employed Unemployed	114 168	40.4 59.6
Husband's Job Self employed Civil servant	128 154	45.4 54.6
Perceived Economic condition High Medium + low	36 246	12.8 87.2
Status of Using Method n:262 Modern method Withdrawal	190 72	72.5 27.5
Type of Birth n: 253 Normal Cesarean	181 72	71.5 28.5
IFSI SCORE Low 26 points and less Medium+ high 27 points and above	150 103	53.2 36.5

When risk factors that may cause sexual dysfunction in women were examined; 23% had urinary incontinence, 26.6% had symptom of urinary tract infection, and 22.6% experienced pain during sexual intercourse. It was determined that husbands of 15.7% of women had premature ejaculation problem, husbands of 7.1% had erection problem, 8.6% had problem with their husbands, and 37.6% experienced premenstrual syndrome Table 2.

Table 2.

Distribution of risk factors to cause sexual dysfunction

Risk Factors	Number	%
Experiencing urinary incontinence	65	23
Symptom of urinary tract infection	75	26.6
Experiencing pain during sexual intercourse dyspareunia	63	22.6
Premature ejaculation problem of husband	44	15.7
Having erectile problem	20	7.1
Having problem with husband	24	8.6
Experiencing premenstrual syndrome	106	37.6

In Table 3, it was found that women's duration of marriage, age, education of women and their husbands, using method, and type of birth were correlated with experiencing sexual dysfunction, but there was not a significant correlation between income level, the number of children, and perceived economic status and sexual dysfunction p>0.05 Table 3.

Table 3.

Correlation of female sexual dysfunction with descriptive characteristics and logistic regression analysis of risk factors

Descriptive Characteristics	Sexual Dysfunction		Significance test	OR 95% confidence interval
	Yes x±SD	No x±SD
Duration of Marriage	1,724±1.101	2.213±1.106	t: -3.585 p: .000	.105 .498–1.647 p: 746
Income	1.153±,3615	1.106±,3103	t: 1.064 p:..288	304 .332–1.855 p: 581
Number of children	2.150±1.766	2.178±,5549	t: -155 p: .877	2.724 .961–1.599 p: 099
Age 40 years and below 40 years and above	106 70.7 67 50.8	44 29.3 65 49.2	X2= 11.737 p: .000	2.3371.432–3.815 p:.001
Educational level of woman Secondary school and below High school and above	54 42.2 96 62.3	74 57.8 58 37.7	X2= 13.399 p: .001	.810 .373–1.760 p: .595
Husband's educational level Secondary school and below High school and above	30 34.9 120 61.2	56 65.1 76 38.8	X2= 16.657 p:. 000	.616 .291–1.306 p: .206
Employment status Unemployed Employed	69 60.5 81 48.2	45 39.5 87 51.8	X2= 4.135 p: . 052	.786 .398–1.549 p: .486
Perceived economic status High Medium+low	126 51.2 24 66.7	120 48,8 12 33.3	X2= 3.010 p: .107	.568 .240–1.347 p: .200
Status of Using Method n:262 Modern method Withdrawal	113 59.5 30 41.7	77 40.5 42 58.3	X2= 6.679 p: .012	.1.508 .815–2.789 p: .191
Type of Birth n: 253 Normal Cesarean	85 47.0 45 62.5	96 53.0 27 37.5	X2= 4.979 p: .027	2.608 .277–1.132 p: .394

According to correlation of sexual dysfunction with descriptive characteristics and logistic regression analysis of risk factors; age posed a risk for sexual dysfunction, but duration of marriage, income, the number of children, educational level of woman and her husband, employment status, perceived economic condition, using method, and type of birth were determined not to pose a risk for sexual dysfunction Table 3

It was found that experiencing sexual dysfunction was correlated with women who had urinary incontinence problem, symptom of urinary tract infection, whose husband had premature ejaculation and erection problem, but there was no significant correlation between experiencing pain during sexual intercourse, having problem with husband, and premenstrual syndrome and sexual dysfunction Table 4.

Table 4.

Correlation of female sexual dysfunction with risk factors and logistic regression analysis

Descriptive Characteristics	Sexual Dysfunction		Significance test	OR 95% confidence interval
	Yes	No
Experiencing urinary incontinence Yes No	18 27.7 132 60.8	47 72.3 85 39.2	X2= 22.059 p: .000	.263 .131-.263 p: .000
Symptom of urinary tract infection Yes No	31 41.3 119 57.5	44 58.7 88 42.5	X2= 5.770 p: .021	.766 .457–1.781 p: .766
Experiencing pain during sexual intercourse Yes No	32 50.8 118 53.9	31 49.2 101 46.1	X2= .187 p: .670	1.255 645–2.439 p: .504
Premature ejaculation problem of husband Yes No	16 36.4 134 56.5	28 63.6 10343.5	X2= 6.071 p: .020	.578 273–1.221 p: .151
Male erectile problem Yes No	6 30.0 144 55.0	14 70.0 118 45.0	X2= 4.650 p: .037	.526 .173–1.594 p: .256
Having problem with husband Yes No	16 66.7 134 51.9	8 33.3 124 48.1	X2= 1.913 p: .202	2.589 .952–7.043 p: .062
Experiencing premenstrual syndrome Yes No	52 49.1 98 55.7	54 50.9 78 44.3	X2= 1.166 p: .325	.832 .485–1.427 p: .504

According to correlation of female sexual dysfunction with risk factors and logistic regression analysis of risk factors; it was determined that those having urinary incontinence posed a risk for sexual dysfunction, but those who had symptom of urinary tract infection, had pain problem during sexual intercourse, whose husband had premature ejaculation and erection problem, who had problem with their husband and experiencing premenstrual syndrome did not have a risk for sexual dysfunction Table 4.

Discussion

Sexual dysfunction is an important community health problem that affects women more than men¹⁷. Sexual dysfunction is a multidisciplinary dysfunction, which affects the physical, mental and social condition of women¹. Prevalence of SD in the present study was found as 53.2%. Prevalence of SD in previous studies conducted in Turkey was reported as 52.5%¹⁸, 46.9%¹⁹, and 48.3%¹⁵. In studies on different cultures, SD was similarly determined in 43% of women by Laumann et al.¹², in 60% of Chinese women²⁰, in 67.8% of Egyptian women between the ages 18–55²¹, in 13.3%-79.3% of Brazilian women²¹ in 56.8% of sexually active 5391 women aged between 40–59 years in Latin America²². In addition, numerous studies conducted on sexual dysfunction in Muslim countries show parallelism with findings from Turkey and European countries. It was found that 29.6% of Malay women⁵, 31.5% of Iranian women²³, and 68.9% of Egyptian women experienced at least one or more sexual problem. Results of the study make us think that female sexual dysfunction is a common poblem. High incidence of SD in the present study might be caused by neglect of sexual dysfunction, conservative beliefs, and widespread lack of information about sexuality in Turkey.

It was determined in the literature that low education level increases the risk of sexual dysfunction.^1,12,24–26 In this study, along with a statistically significant correlation between the education level of women and their spouses and the level of sexual dysfunction occurrence, it was also stated that as education level increases, so does the frequency of sexual dysfunction occurrence. Results of the study conducted by İsmail et al.²⁶ are similar to our ours, they both state that patients with a high education level exhibit a more frequent sexual dysfunction occurrence. In another study, when women with sexual dysfunction were compared with women who do not have sexual dysfunction, high education level was found to be the only criteria for the dysfunction.²⁷ In Turkey, women with a high education level are employed in jobs with a high-stress level such as teachers and nurses. This chronic stress has a negative effect on gender and sexual hormones. ²⁸ Furthermore, women with higher education level may have a tendency towards breaking the taboos and openly revealing their sexual problems.²⁷

In the present study, using modern contraceptive methods was determined to influence development of SD. It is remarkable that results of study, in which correlation between using contraction and SD was investigated, in the literature were contradictory. While there was no significant correlation between using method and SD in some studies^23,29 significant correlation was also found in some studies similar to results of the present study.^20,30,31 Using contraception may reduce anxiety resulted from unintended pregnancy during sexual intercourse and may had a positive effect on woman's sexual function. Further research is required to confirm and explain the effect of using methods on sexuality.³⁰

In the studies conducted previously, it was observed that as the age progresses, so does the risk of sexual dysfunction occurrence.^1,17,30 In this study, along with a significant correlation between the age of women and the occurrence of sexual dysfunction, it was also stated that the frequency of sexual dysfunction occurrence decreases as the age progresses. Results of the study conducted by Fajewonyomi et al³² are similar to our ours, it was observed that younger women have a higher risk of sexual dysfunction occurrence. Increase in the sexual dysfunction occurrence with the progressing age is thought to be related with the hormonal changes during the menopause. With the reduced estrogen levels in the circulatory system, various levels of vaginal atrophy occur^1,27,32 Physiological changes due to the progression of age do not necessarily mean that sexual intercourse is hard or impossible. Effects of age progression on sexual functions are mostly related to psychological, pharmacological and disease factors^26,32.

Urinary incontinence UI has a negative effect on female sexuality³³. In the study of Salonianın et al.³⁴ the rate of sexual dysfunction was reported as 46% in women with UI. Being psychologically distressed, concerns about urinary incontinence during sexual intercourse, and feeling embarrassed because of smell have been indicated as the reason of sexual dysfunction^33,35. In the present study, there was correlation between SD development and urinary incontinence, urinary incontinence was found as a risk factor for SD in logistic regression analysis carried out with other variables. It was reported in a previous study that sexual complaints were strongly correlated with UI, especially women with UI had lower libido, more vaginal dryness and dyspareunia complaint compared to those without UI³⁶. Another study indicates that women with UI had low sexual activity³⁷. In a study conducted by Zincir et al., it is stated that women with severe urinary incontinence have a low score in the Sexual Function Index for Women and poor sexual functions³⁸. In a study conducted by Grzybowska et al.³⁹ it is stated that women with severe and mid-level stress urinary incontinence have a poor sexual function quality. In a study conducted by Dos Santos et al.⁴⁰ on nulliparous athletes, it is stated that women with urinary incontinence have 2.7 times more sexual desire problems, compared to women who do not have this problem. In current studies, the reason for positive correlation between SD and UI was indicated as the effect of UI on life quality, especially it posed a barrier on satisfaction of women, having coital incontinence, with sexual life. The correlation between SD and UI was reported to develop as a result of extremely active bladder, UI, and pelvic prolapse, in addition to hormone deficiencies that affect pelvic organs⁴¹.

Some characteristics and problems related to women's husband may be a risk factor towards SD. Jiann et al.⁴² determined that there was a significant correlation between male erectile disorder and female SD. Advanced age of husband^17,43,44 premature ejaculation^17,45 and erectile disorder^17,23,45 are stated as risk factors for SD. In the present study, a significant correlation was found between having husband with premature ejaculation problem and erectile disorder and developing SD.

Another factor affecting prevalence of SD is type of birth. In this study, a significant correlation was determined between type of birth and SD. Results of some previous study showed similarity with results of the present study and while it was reported that delay for starting sexual intercourse, dyspareunia, and sexual problems were correlated with vaginal delivery with intervention, episiotomy etc., and type of birth increased these mentioned risks, had a negative effect on sexual activity.^46,47 Some studies indicated that there was no significant correlation between type of birth and episiotomy with time of starting postpartum sexual intercourse, sexual satisfaction, arousal, frequency of sexual intercourse, and dyspareunia; and dyspareunia was correlated only with breastfeeding^48–50. Similarly, there are studies determining that a significant correlation was not found between sexual function with normal vaginal birth and cesarean section birth, women with cesarean section started postpartum sexual intercourse earlier than women who gave normal vaginal delivery and there was also variation between these correlations⁵¹.

In the present study, income was determined not to influence SD. Similar to result of the present study, there was no correlation between employment status, income and sexual function in the study of Elnashar et al.⁹ But, correlation was determined between economic status and sexual dysfunction in the study of Laumann et al.¹² The reason behind why there was no correlation in Turkey might be associated with no huge difference in economic status of those in the study group.

Conclusion

These results indicate that SD is still common and is an important health problem. Therefore, it becomes crucial to evaluate symptoms and risk factors of SD, providing consultancy services about issues like preservation and treatment. Additionally, even though sexual health multi-dimensionally influences life of individuals, it is frequently ignored during the care given to patient. For this reason, maintaining sexual life which is a physiological need mostly stays in the background. Therefore, nurses, who are more together with individuals during health and every step of disease and treatment period, have important responsibilities especially about this issue. For this reason, it is recommended for nurses to play an active role in correct and sufficient data collection for sexual health history, evaluating the ratio of vulnerability of sexual health from disease period, providing an extensive care and diagnosing sexual problems and concerns. This way, it will contribute to improving life quality of women and preventing permanent health problems.

Limitations

There are some limitations to this study. First, the results obtained represent the women in the context of research and cannot be generalized. Second, the survey data were collected by face to face interviews. Asking questions about sexual life in our society, a topic may have been accepted as confidential, the replied reflect the current state of women working to take part. Therefore, the reliability of the data is limited to information provided by the interviewer.

Authors' contribution

MK was involved in study design, data collection, and manuscript development. MK, wrote the paper. MK performed the statistical analysis. MK read and approved the final manuscript

Abbreviations

SD: Sexual Dysfunction; FSF: Female Sexual Function Index; UI: Urinary İncontinence; FSD: Female Sexual Dysfunction