Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Help-seeking behaviors for female sexual dysfunction: a cross sectional study from Iran

Authors: Mariam Vahdaninia, Ali Montazeri, Azita Goshtasebi

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) are prevalent multifactor problems that in general remain misdiagnosed in primary health care. This population-based study investigated help-seeking behaviors among women with FSD in Iran.

Methods

This was a cross sectional study carried out in Kohgilouyeh-Boyer-Ahmad province in Iran. Using quota sampling all sexually active women aged 15 and over registered in primary health care delivery centers were studied. Experience of sexual problems was assessed using an ad-hoc questionnaire (Female sexual dysfunction: help-seeking behaviors survey) containing 14 items. Trained female nurses interviewed all participants after a verbal informed consent. Data were analyzed in a descriptive manner.

Results

In all 1540 women were studied. Of these, 786 (51%) cases had experienced at least one of the FSD problems. Results showed that 35.8% of women with FSD had sought no professional help and the most reasons for not seeking help were identified as: 'time constraints' and believing that it 'did not occur to me' (39.1 and 28.5% respectively). Sixty one percent of women who sought help for FSD reported that 'doctor gave me a definite diagnosis' and 'a definite treatment plan was given' in 57% of cases.

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that FSD problems were prevalent and many women did not seek help for their problem. Finding 'time constraints' and believing that the problem 'did not occur to me' as the most cited reasons for not seeking help might facilitate to understand potential barriers that exist in recognition and treatment of the female sexual dysfunctions. Since FSD might have a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and women's quality of life, it seems that there is need to address the problem both at local and national primary health care services.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Dunn KM, Kelvin J, Croft PR, Assendelft WJJ: Systematic review of sexual problems: epidemiology and methodology. J Sex Marital Ther. 2002, 28: 399-422. 10.1080/00926230290001529.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Moreira ED, Brock G, Glasser DB, Nicolosi A, Laumann EO, Paik A, Wang T, Gingell C: Help-seeking behavior for sexual problems: the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. Int J Clin Pract. 2005, 59: 6-16. 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2005.00382.x.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Rosen RC: Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in men and women. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2000, 2: 189-195. 10.1007/s11920-996-0006-2.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Warnock JJ: Female hypoactive sexual desire disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. CNS Drugs. 2002, 16: 745-753. 10.2165/00023210-200216110-00003.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Hisasue S, Kumamoto Y, Sato Y, Masumori N, Horita H, Kato R, Kobayashi K, Hashimoto K, Yamashita N, Itoh N: Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction symptoms and its relationship to quality of life: a Japanese female cohort study. Urology. 2005, 65: 143-148. 10.1016/j.urology.2004.08.003.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Daker-White G, Donovan J: Sexual satisfaction, quality of life and the transaction of intimacy in hospital patients accounts of their (hetero) sexual relationships. Sociol Health Illn. 2002, 24: 89-113. 10.1111/1467-9566.00005.CrossRef
7.
Laumann EO, Paik A, Glasser DB, Kang JH, Wang T, Levinson B, Moreira ED, Nicolosi A, Gingell C: A cross-national study of subjective sexual well-being among older women and men: findings from the global study on sexual attitudes and behaviors. Arch Sex Behav. 2006, 35: 145-161. 10.1007/s10508-005-9005-3.CrossRefPubMed
8.
9.
Laumann E, Paik A, Rosen R: Sexual dysfunction in the United States-prevalence and predictors. J Am Med Assoc. 1999, 281: 537-544. 10.1001/jama.281.6.537.CrossRef
10.
Humphery S, Nazareth I: GPs' views on their management of sexual dysfunction. Fam Pract. 2001, 18: 516-518. 10.1093/fampra/18.5.516.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Nazareth I, Boynton P, King M: Problems with sexual function in people attending London general practitioners: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2003, 327: 423-429. 10.1136/bmj.327.7412.423.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, Leiblum S, Meston C, Shabsigh R, Ferguson D, D'Agostino R: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimentional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000, 26: 191-208. 10.1080/009262300278597.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Abdo CHN, Oliviera WM, Moreira ED, Fittipaldi JAS: Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and correlated conditions in a simple of Brazilian women-results of the Brazilian study on sexual behavior (BSSB). Int J Impot Res. 2004, 16: 160-166. 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901198.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Moreira ED, Kim SCh, Gkasser D, Gingell C: Sexual activity, prevalence of sexual problems and associated help-seeking patterns in men and women aged 40–80-years in Korea: data from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB). J Sex Med. 2006, 3: 201-211. 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00210.x.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Safarinejad MR: Female sexual dysfunction in a population-based study in Iran: prevalence and associated risk factors. Int J Impot Res. 2006, 18: 382-395. 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901440.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Oksuz E, Malhan S: Prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in Turkish women. J Urol. 2006, 175: 654-658. 10.1016/S0022-5347(05)00149-7.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Mercer CH, Fenton KA, Johnson AM, Wellings K, Macdowall W, McManus S, Nanchahal K, Erens B: Sexual function problems and help seeking behavior in Britain: national probability sample survey. BMJ. 2003, 327: 426-427. 10.1136/bmj.327.7412.426.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
Moreira ED, Glasser DB, Nicolosi A, Duart FG, Gingell C: Sexual problems and help-seeking behaviour in adults in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. BJU. 2008, 101: 1005-1011. 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.07453.x.CrossRef
19.
Moniz G, Cruz FO: Prevalence of sexual problems and related help-seeking behaviors among mature adults in Brazil: data from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. Sao Paulo Med J. 2005, 23: 234-241.
20.
Whitmore J: Problems with sexual function: training in psychosocial medicine is available for doctors. BMJ. 2003, 327: 1109-1110. 10.1136/bmj.327.7423.1109-c.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
Philips NA: Female sexual dysfunction: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2000, 62: 127-136.
Metadata
Title
Help-seeking behaviors for female sexual dysfunction: a cross sectional study from Iran
Authors
Mariam Vahdaninia
Ali Montazeri
Azita Goshtasebi
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-9-3

Other articles of this Issue 1/2009

BMC Women's Health 1/2009 Go to the issue

Research article

Suboptimal management of severe menopausal symptoms by Nigerian Gynaecologists: a call for mandatory continuing medical education for physicians

Research article

Complications associated with transobturator sling procedures: analysis of 233 consecutive cases with a 27 months follow-up

Research article

The effect of past use of oral contraceptive on bone mineral density, bone biochemical markers and muscle strength in healthy pre and post menopausal women

Study protocol

Protocol for Physiotherapy OR Tvt Randomised Efficacy Trial (PORTRET): a multicentre randomised controlled trial to assess the cost-effectiveness of the tension free vaginal tape versus pelvic floor muscle training in women with symptomatic moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence

Research article

Dietary fat intake and gestational weight gain in relation to estradiol and progesterone plasma levels during pregnancy: a longitudinal study in Swedish women

Research article

Satisfaction and compliance in hormonal contraception: the result of a multicentre clinical study on women's experience with the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch in Italy