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Prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in brazilian women: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Changes in the mechanisms that modulate sexual response can contribute to the development of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Although the prevalence of FSD in Brazil has been established, its associated risk factors have not been thoroughly examined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FSD in Brazilian women and identify any factors that may be associated with its presence.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design and included women aged 18 years or older who had engaged in sexual activity within the past four weeks. Participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a sociodemographic and health questionnaire. Two groups were created based on FSFI scores: those with risk for FSD (score >26.55) and those without. The study used t-tests for independent samples to compare quantitative variables between the groups, and the chi-squared test, to compare categorical variables. Binomial logistic regression was used to test the association between sociodemographic and health variables and FSD.

Results

FSD had a prevalence of 31.7% (95% CI: 28.2%–35.5%). The results indicated that practice of physical activity was inversely associated with FSD (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.92), whereas urinary incontinence (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.68–3.87) and post-menopause (OR: 4.69, 95% CI: 1.66–13.3) were directly associated with FSD.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of FSD was observed among Brazilian women in this study. Physically active women are less likely to have FSD. Menopause and the presence of urinary incontinence can negatively impact female sexual function.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Process 2019/14666-7) for funding the study, as well as the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) and the University Hospital of UFSCar managed by Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares for their support in the development of the study and authorization for data collection. Finally, we thank the participants who made this study possible.

Funding

The authors thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Process 2019/14666-7). The funders did not have any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, or publication decision.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of West Paulista (UNOESTE), Jaú, São Paulo, Brazil

    Amanda Magdalena Feroldi Fabricio

  2. Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod. Washington Luís km 235 –SP-310, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    Tatiana Oliveira Sato, Stéfany Gomes da Silva, Giovana Garçoni Poli, Clara Maria de Araujo Silva, Roberta de Fátima Carreira Moreira Padovez, Patricia Driusso & Ana Carolina Sartorato Beleza

  3. University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain

    Daiana Priscila Rodrigues de Souza

Authors
  1. Amanda Magdalena Feroldi Fabricio
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  2. Tatiana Oliveira Sato
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  3. Stéfany Gomes da Silva
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  4. Giovana Garçoni Poli
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  5. Clara Maria de Araujo Silva
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  6. Roberta de Fátima Carreira Moreira Padovez
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  7. Daiana Priscila Rodrigues de Souza
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  8. Patricia Driusso
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  9. Ana Carolina Sartorato Beleza
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Contributions

Fabricio AMF: Project development, Data Collection, Manuscript writing.

Sato TO: Formal analysis, Manuscript review.

Silva SG: Project development, Data Collection, Manuscript writing.

Poli GG: Project development, Data Collection.

Silva CMA: Project development, Data Collection.

Padovez RFCM: Project development, Manuscript review.

Souza DPR: Manuscript review.

Driusso P: Project development, Manuscript review.

Beleza ACS: Project development, Manuscript writing and review.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Carolina Sartorato Beleza.

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Fabricio, A.M.F., Sato, T.O., Gomes da Silva, S. et al. Prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in brazilian women: a cross-sectional study. Int Urogynecol J 34, 2507–2511 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05562-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05562-w

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