Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions among women aged 21-60 years in Kegalle district

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of female sexual dysfunctions in Sri Lanka is not known. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and associated factors among women aged 21 to 60 years in Kegalle District. METHOD: We conducted a community based cross-sectional study. 922 women were selected using probability proportional to size, multi stage cluster sampling. An interviewer administered questionnaire, based on ICD-10 and DSM-V diagnostic criteria was developed and pre-tested. The questionnaire assessed features of orgasmic dysfunctions, vaginismus, dyspareunia and lack or loss of sexual desire during the preceding six months. Interviews were conducted by trained, pre-intern female medical graduates and the data entered to an online database using smartphones and tablet devices in real-time. RESULTS: Based on ICD-10 criteria, overall prevalence of sexual dysfunctions was 44.6% (95% CI=40.7-48.6). Lack or loss of sexual desire was the commonest dysfunction with a prevalence of 30.5% (95% CI=26.7-34.5). Prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction (absence or delayed orgasm) was 27.8% (95% CI=24.2-31.8), dyspareunia 6.9% (95% CI=4.9-9.6) and vaginismus 1.6% (95% CI=0.7- 3.5). Based on DSM-V diagnostic criteria, overall prevalence of sexual dysfunctions was 7.5% (95% CI=5.5-10.1), Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder was 4.9% (95% CI=3.4-7.0), Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder was 4.0% (95% CI=2.5-6.2), and Female Orgasmic Disorder was 1.0% (95% CI=0.4-2.5). There was a significant (p<0.05) positive association between overall sexual dysfunctions and age according to both ICD-10 and DSM-V criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions is high according to ICD-10 criteria, but not so according to DSM-V criteria reflecting major differences in the diagnostic criteria.