An update on sexual function and dysfunction in women

Abstract

Sexual function of women can be affected by many factors resulting in female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among women of all ages and has negative effects not only on their quality of lives but also on the sexual function and quality of life of their partners. It can also affect mental health of the entire family and society. Regarding the multidimensional nature of female sexual dysfunction and considering its consequences, this condition needs to be recognised in its early stages in order to prevent future consequences and impacts. This article discusses biopsychosocial aspect of female sexual function, classifications and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction and investigates current approaches to identify and treat this problem.

Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Migraine and Overweight/Obesity: Relative Frequency and Association With Migraine Severity

“…Sexual distress, defined as negative feelings about sexuality or sexual activities, is considered an important criterion in diagnosis of some sexual function impairments. 1, 2 While we did collect information about marital status, we did not inquire about sexual orientation, specific relationship characteristics (e.g., duration of union), menopausal status (although average age for menopause in U.S. women exceeds the maximum age of participants in the current study), and number of children in the home, all of which may affect type and frequency of sexual behaviors. As noted above, sexual functioning and headache activity were not measured simultaneously, thus negating ability to determine acute impact of headaches on sexual function.…”

“…35,36 Anthropometric Characteristics.-Height and weight were measured using a wall-mounted Harpenden stadiometer (Holtain, Ltd., Crosswell, Crymyh, Pembs, UK) and calibrated digital scale (Tanita BWB 800; Tanita Corporation of America, Inc, Arlington Heights, IL, USA) in migraine participants (both samples) and controls. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from these measures using the formula: BMI (kg/m 2 ) 5 weight (kg)/ (height [m]) 2 . In migraine participants only, waist circumference was measured at the midpoint between the highest point of the iliac crest and lower part of the costal margin at the mid-axillary line.…”

“…Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) includes both physiological and psychological symptoms reflecting impairments in different phases of the sexual response cycle or pain experienced during intercourse. 1,2 FSD is recognized as a medical condition, involving a complex interplay of neuroendocrine, vascular, and psychosocial components, which can adversely impact the health and well-being of individuals, couples, and families. [1][2][3] Although research over the past decade has linked different neurologic diseases and pain syndromes to increased risk of FSD, [4][5][6][7] the relationship between migraine and FSD has been a topic of relatively recent study and is not well understood.…”

Sexual functioning of men and women with severe obesity before bariatric surgery

“…Correlation among patients in the same site was accounted for by the inclusion of different random intercepts for sites. Based on prior literature 29,30 the following variables were included in each model: age, race, ethnicity, BMI, depressive symptoms, marital status, medications that may impair sexual function, medications that may improve sexual function, and menopause. In addition, the following variables were entered and retained through backward elimination if they reached statistical significance ( P <.05) given either prior established or anticipated associations with sexual functioning: education, smoking status, alcohol use disorder symptoms, prior live or still birth, hypertension, diabetes with and without insulin, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, urinary incontinence, and medications that might impact (direction unknown) sexual function.…”

RE: Evaluation of sexual function in patients submitted to ureteroscopic procedures

“…The factors affecting female sexual function include genetics, mental health status, symptoms of depression and anxiety, quality of relationships, menopause, hormonal imbalance, hysterectomy, ovariectomy, sexual abuse, negative sexual attitude, negative body image, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual orientation, childbirth and its outcomes, mode of delivery, number of childbirths, breastfeeding, and fears of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (2). Similarly, male sexual dysfunction can result from physiological causes including depression, anxiety, stress, other mental health problems and physical causes including diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, treatments for prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia, neurological diseases, hypogonadism, smoking, and pelvic surgeries (3).…”