OBJECTIVE -To estimate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in diabetic and nondiabetic Jordanian women.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -Data were collected from 1,137 married women using the Arabic translation of the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.RESULTS -Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in diabetic women 50 years of age or older was 59.6 vs. 45.6% in nondiabetic women (P ϭ 0.003). Diabetic women had more dysfunction of desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm than nondiabetic women. Glycemic control, smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, autonomic neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy did not have a significant effect on FSD. Age, BMI, duration of diabetes, and the presence of coronary artery disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy had negative effects on FSD.CONCLUSIONS -Prevalence of FSD among Jordanian women was found to be significantly higher in diabetic compared with nondiabetic women. Diabetes Care 31:1580-1581, 2008F emale sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem, affecting 30 -78% of women (1). The prevalence in diabetic women is estimated to be 20 -80% (2). In Arab countries, there has only been one report that addresses this issue (1). Islam, the religion of the vast majority of Arab countries, is a very open religion regarding sexual relations, but tribal and social attitudes toward sex are widely different and sometimes reach the level of taboo. In Jordan, talking about sex openly is not easy. However, when talking about sex in a professional setting, women are very self-aware (3).FSD is defined as disorders of libido, arousal, orgasm, and sexual pain that lead to personal distress or interpersonal difficulties. It is multifactorial in etiology with physiological and psychological roots (4). In the 1950s, sexual dysfunction in diabetic men caught attention, but sexual dysfunction in women remained entirely neglected until Kolodny's article in 1971 (5).Diabetic women are prone to experience decreased sexual desire, dyspareunia, decreased sexual arousal, and inadequate lubrication (8). There are few studies of sexual dysfunction in normal and diabetic women in Arab countries, and Jordan is no exception. The purpose of this study was to address this issue in Jordan. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -Between October 2006and August 2007, 1,137 married women were studied at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics (NCDEG) in Amman, Jordan. Women were grouped into a diabetic married group (n ϭ 613) and a nondiabetic married group (n ϭ 524). Diabetic women were those attending the Diabetes and Endocrinology clinics at the NCDEG, and nondiabetic women were their female companions and health workers at the center. Divorced, widowed, seriously ill, pregnant, or lactating women and those on contraceptive pills were excluded. The study was approved by the ethics committee at the NCDEG. All women were invited to attend a face-to-face interview with one of our female authors. Privacy and confidentiality were assured. The structured interviews were based on the19-item Female ...

BACKGROUND:Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is defined as disorders of libido, arousal, and orgasm, as well as sexual pain, that leads to personal distress or interpersonal difficulties. Social aspects of FSD have been understudied. The aim of this study was to explore the social aspects of FSD and sexual attitudes of Jordanian women.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:Six hundred thirteen married females were studied between October 2006 and August 2007 at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics (NCDEG), Amman, Jordan. Females were interviewed using a special questionnaire that was suitable to our culture and added to the Arabic translation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Questionnaire.RESULTS:Older age was associated with a decreased total FSD index and its domain scores. Women with obesity were more likely to have impaired arousability and impaired capability of reaching orgasm. About 58.5% of women reported that they prepared themselves if they had sexual desire and 68.2% reported wearing special attire for this purpose. Only 37.2% of women could ask their husband for a special excitement.CONCLUSIONS:FSD is prevalent in Jordan. Its social aspects are understudied and need more research in the future.