Female sexual dysfunction: what Arab gynecologists think and know

Auwad, Wael; Hagi, Sarah K.

doi:10.1007/s00192-012-1701-7

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(22 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, because of cultural taboos, gynecologists in this society are rarely adequately trained to have the understanding, support, or compassion that is required to effectively treat female sexual dysfunction. 25 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of vaginal penetration phobia in Arab women: a retrospective study

Muammar

McWalter

Alkhenizan

et al. 2015

Annals of Saudi Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESVaginal penetration phobia is a common and distressing problem worldwide. It interferes with vaginal penetrative sexual relations, and leads to unconsummated marriage (UCM). This problem may be heightened in Arab women, due to cultural taboos about pain and bleeding, that may be associated with the first coital experience after marriage. Data about this problem is scarce in Arab societies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of these women and their husbands to an individualized, psychotherapeutic assessment and treatment to resolve this problem.DESIGN AND SETTINGSRetrospective descriptive in a general gynecology community setting over a 6-year period.METHODSThe study involved a retrospective sequential cohort of 100 Arab couples with UCM due to the woman’s VPP. They were evaluated by a female gynecologist in out patient clinics. Data was collected through chart review, and telephone interviews. Final analysis was performed on 100 Arab couples, who satisfied the inclusion criteria. They were followed up to assess their response to an individualized, structured treatment protocol. The treatment combined sex education with systematic desensitization, targeting fear and anxiety associated with vaginal penetration.RESULTSA total of 96% of the studied group had a successful outcome after an average of 4 sessions. Penetrative intercourse was reported by the tolerance of these women; further pregnancy was achieved in 77.8 % of the infertile couples.CONCLUSIONInsufficient knowledge of sexual intercourse is a major contributor to the development of VPP in the sampled population. It appears that they respond well to an individualized, structured treatment protocol as described by Hawten 1985 (regardless of other risk factors associated with vaginismus).

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of vaginal penetration phobia in Arab women: a retrospective study

Muammar

McWalter

Alkhenizan

et al. 2015

Annals of Saudi Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Prevalence estimates have shown that up to 64% of sexually active women attending an urogynecology clinic suffer from sexual dysfunction . Despite this, worldwide many health‐care professionals who treat women with PFD feel inadequately trained to approach the subject of sexual function: they do not know what/how to ask or are unsure about therapeutic options . Without health‐care professionals understanding patients' concerns, distressing sexual problems could go unnoticed as many women hesitate to present these symptoms to their doctors themselves .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Women’s Sexual Concerns Unraveled

Roos

Thakar

Sultan

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Sexual function of women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) is adversely affected. However, our current understanding of the exact relationship between female sexual dysfunction and POP and/or UI is incomplete. A qualitative study can improve our understanding by describing what women themselves perceive as the real problem. Aim To gain a more in-depth understanding of the impact of POP and/or UI on the different categories of female sexual dysfunction by way of a qualitative study. Methods Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted in 37 women scheduled for pelvic floor surgery, and one was excluded from analysis due to incomplete recordings. Main Outcome Measures The impact of POP and/or UI on female sexual function. Results Only 17% of women were completely positive about their sex life. Both POP and UI had a negative effect on body image. Women with POP had a negative image of their vagina, which caused them to be insecure about their partner's sexual experience, while women with UI were embarrassed about their incontinence and pad use, and feared smelling of urine. Worries about the presence of POP during sexual activity, discomfort from POP, and reduced genital sensations were the most important reasons for decreased desire, arousal, and difficulty reaching an orgasm in women with POP. Fear of incontinence during intercourse affected desire, arousal, and orgasm and could be a cause for dyspareunia in women with UI. Desire was divided into two main elements: “drive” and “motivation.” Although “drive,” i.e., spontaneous sexual interest, was not commonly affected by POP and/or UI, a decrease in “motivation” or the willingness to engage in sexual activity was the most common sexual dysfunction mentioned. Conclusions Body image plays a key role in the sexual functioning of women with POP and/or UI with the biggest impact on women's “motivation.”

show abstract

“…In Tunisia as in other Arab Muslim countries, sexuality remains a taboo and a very sensitive subject, so patients do not generally consult directly a sex therapist but gynaecologists, as seen in our case series (Auwad and Hagi, 2012; Muammar et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Cultural aspects of vaginismus therapy: a case series of Arab-Muslim patients

Zgueb

Ouali

Achour

et al. 2019

tCBT

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vaginismus in one of the most frequent causes of non-consummation of marriage, and of infertility, in Arab-Muslim societies. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) proved to be effective, but it is important to consider the cultural context of the patient attending CBT for vaginismus. The aim of our study was therefore to draw attention to the belief systems and behaviours linked to female sexuality and couple relationship in the Arab-Muslim culture. We present a series of four patients representative of the local culture and show how treatment strategies were adapted to fit these behaviours and belief systems, as well as environmental factors. We found that excessive closeness of family members, allowing the family to be intrusive and exercising pressure on the couple, a strict education which highly values virginity, transmits fear of ‘the male’ and fear of sex, and which links sex with pain, were the common denominator of all patients of our case series. We adapted the classical CBT strategies for vaginismus to our cultural context. The educational component was enlarged. Cognitive techniques were used to modify specific traditional beliefs. The integration of the family, and not only of the partner, into the treatment process proved uniquely beneficial for the patients.

show abstract

Female sexual dysfunction: what Arab gynecologists think and know

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Management of vaginal penetration phobia in Arab women: a retrospective study

Management of vaginal penetration phobia in Arab women: a retrospective study

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Women’s Sexual Concerns Unraveled

Cultural aspects of vaginismus therapy: a case series of Arab-Muslim patients

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About