An examination of the association of abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional) and female sexual dysfunction: results from the Boston Area Community Health Survey

Abstract

Study objective-To examine associations between abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional) in childhood and adolescence/adulthood and sexual activity and dysfunction (FSD) in women.Design-We analyzed data from the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey, a community-based epidemiologic study of urologic and sexual symptoms and risk factors in a racially/ ethnically diverse random sample of women aged 30-79 (N=3,205 women). Setting-Boston Area communityPatients-Participants were community residents.Interventions-Data were observational; no interventions were made.Main outcome measure-Sexual activity and dysfunction rates (FSD) were assessed by means of a validated questionnaire: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).Results-Abuse history was not significantly associated with likelihood of sexual activity. Among those who were sexually active with a partner, a history of each of three types of abuse approximately doubles the risk of FSD. Specifically, childhood emotional (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.28, 3.56), adult sexual (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.23, 3.08), and adult emotional abuse (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.15, 3.01) were all significantly and positively associated with sexual dysfunction (p < .05) after adjusting for covariates (including depression). Analyses of the six FSD domains showed that the relationships were strongest for pain (p = .006) and satisfaction (p < .001).Conclusions-These findings extend previous literature by identifying an association between FSD and multiple types of abuse, even after adjusting for depression.

The Influence of Personality and Coping on Female Sexual Function: A Population Survey

“…A large percentage of subjects were nonsmokers and employed either full or part time (Table ). A history of sexual trauma was reported in over 25% (N = 103) of respondents, consistent with population norms [19,20]. Embarrassment answering any of the questionnaires was reported by 45 (8.5%) respondents.…”

Toward Personalized Sexual Medicine (Part 1): Integrating the “Dual Control Model” into Differential Drug Treatments for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

“…These women also showed a higher incidence of negative sexual experiences, which led to the hypothesis that these women suffered from HSDD as a result of (over)activation of sexual inhibitory systems. Women who have negative sexual experiences are about twice as likely to develop a sexual dysfunction, but it is not a given [105]. A potential risk factor for developing a sexual dysfunction after negative sexual experiences is, according to our hypothesis, a person's sensitivity to sexual cues, which will affect positive and negative sexual experiences.…”

Prevalence and Overlap of Childhood and Adult Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse: A Descriptive Analysis of Results From the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey

“…urologic conditions, sexual dysfunction, abdominal and pelvic pain, gastrointestinal and gynecologic disorders, headache, HIV, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, obesity, diabetes) (Basile, 2011; M. C. Black, 2011; Cloutier, Martin, & Poole, 2002; Leserman, 2005; Link, Lutfey, Steers, & McKinlay, 2007; Lutfey, Link, Litman, Rosen, & McKinlay, 2008; Rich-Edwards et al, 2010; Smith & Breiding, 2011; Talley et al, 1994; Zierler et al, 1991 ), and even suicide and premature death (Basile, 2011; M. C. Black, 2011; Brown et al, 2009; Paolucci et al, 2001).…”