Women’s Sexual Concerns: Data Analysis from a Help–Line

Abstract

Purpose To report female sexual problems and concerns, as presented by women calling a help–line, and to evaluate women’s help–seeking behavior regarding sexual matters. Materials and Methods The study included all telephone calls from women who called for sexual concerns to a help–line dedicated to sexual problems during a 5–year period. During the call, the counselor addresses demographic characteristics of the caller, the sexual problem reported, their sexual function, any previous doctor contacts, coexisting physical and mental health problems, couple’s relationship, and lifestyle factors that may influence sexual function. Data processing employed descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis in order to detect possible associations between categorical variables. Results Of a total of 3,523 calls made by women, 2,287 full forms were analyzed, reflecting a response rate of 64.9%. Most women (46.6%) called for problems encountered by their partners, 45.1% called for their own sexual problems, while 5.9% were calling for their children. Only 34.3% of them had already consulted a doctor. The most frequently reported difficulties were achieving orgasm (25.6%), reduced sexual desire (16.9%), and pain during intercourse (6.1%). Women in the 40–49 age group had the higher odds ratios for the sexual problems reported (reduced sexual desire: odds ratio [OR] 5.0; difficulties achieving orgasm: OR 6.3; pain during intercourse: OR 5.8). Both married and single women had high risk of experiencing low levels of sexual desire (40% and 30%, respectively). Conclusions Women’s sexual concerns are not devoted to their sexual problems, but also their partner’s and children’s problems. Most frequently reported sexual problems are difficulties in reaching orgasm and reduced sexual desire. However, women are reluctant to seek medical advice on their sexual concerns. There is a need for general practitioners and family doctors to become aware of the possibility of a sexual problem and to be trained on how to manage this at a primary care level.

The Prevalence and Causes of Sexual Problems among Premenopausal Turkish Women

“…In many studies, it has been shown that the most common sexual problems are lack of desire, lubrication and arousal, anorgasmia, and dyspareunia [1,6,9,21,29]. In the present study, vaginismus and avoidance were found at higher rates, whereas anorgasmia was at a lower rate.…”

What do men and women ask a helpline on sexual concerns? Results of an Italian telephone counselling service

“…This finding is not in accordance with data from other studies and epidemiological research, which indicate DD and OD as the most frequently reported difficulties by women (8,15,34,35). This finding is not in accordance with data from other studies and epidemiological research, which indicate DD and OD as the most frequently reported difficulties by women (8,15,34,35).…”

“…Despite this, relatively little scientific information is available, especially regarding helpline services for women (1,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Despite this, relatively little scientific information is available, especially regarding helpline services for women (1,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Self-Reported Sexual Functioning Concerns Among Undergraduate Students

“…Although men and women both experience a range of sexual concerns, many previous researchers have consistently found that women report sexual concerns more frequently than men (Laumann et al;Sobczak, 2009a;Zakhari). For females, desire and orgasmic disorders have been found to be the most common complaints; for males, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are among the most common complaints (Babineau & Schwartz, 1977;Papaharitou et al, 2005;Santtila, Sandnabba, & Jern, 2009;Sobczak, 2009aSobczak, , 2009bWiesmeier & Forsythe, 1982;Zakhari). If the definition of sexual dysfunction is broadened to include sexual functioning concerns, or sexual health problems that do not meet diagnostic criteria for a diagnosable dysfunction, prevalence estimates may be even higher.…”