Sexual function and functioning of women in reproductive age

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual function (SF) is an important issue in women’s health from the beginning of sexual life. SF can be modified by several factors, and the presence of sexual dysfunction may negatively affect the quality of life of these women. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the sexual function, its associated factors and the association with the functioning in women in reproductive age. Method: A cross-sectional observational study with 172 women that attended 6 Family Health Facilities in the northeast region of Brazil. The evaluation tool consisted of (i) sociodemographic, obstetrical and gynecological issues, and questions about habits and health conditions, (ii) female sexual quotient (FSQ), and (iii) World Health Organization Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction was calculated, and bivariate analysis was used to estimate the association of independent variables with the outcome of sexual dysfunction. Results: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 37.2%, and 39.5% of the sample considered their sexual health as fair to good. In total, 26.2% of women never think of sex spontaneously, they do not remember or imagine themselves during sexual intercourse, and 38.4% think about it sometimes. No association was found between the investigated variables and sexual dysfunction; however, the latter showed an association on interpersonal relationships of women (p = 0.016). Conclusions: There is a considerable prevalence of sexual dysfunction between women in reproductive age. Thus, results emphasize the relevance of investigations about female sexual function among women in reproductive age that are not in the pregnancy and postpartum period.