Female sexual dysfunction in a healthy Austrian cohort: prevalence and risk factors.

PURPOSE: Data on prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) are rare, particularly from Europe. Aim of our study was therefore to investigate this issue in a cohort of women undergoing a health investigation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of women aged 20-80 years participating in a health-screening project in Vienna underwent a detailed health investigation and completed a 23-item questionnaire on several aspects of FSD including desire, arousal, pain and orgasmic disorders. Prevalence of FSD in different age groups and risk factors for FSD were calculated.

RESULTS: A total of 703 women aged 43+/-15 years entered this study. Within the total study population, 22% reported on desire disorders, 35% on arousal disorders, and 39% on orgasmic problems, all of which increased significantly with age. Pain disorders were reported by 12.8% being most frequently in the women aged 20-39 years. In women aged 60-69 years, still 50% reported having at least "occasionally" sexual desire and 30% had more than two sexual intercourses per month. In this age group, 50% stated that a healthy sexual life is at least moderately important to them. Apart from age few risk factors for FSD were identified. Sportive activity was the only correlate to desire- and arousal disorders, psychological stress for orgasmic disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into age-specific changes of FSD in apparently healthy women. The importance of this subject is underlined by the high prevalence of FSD particularly in the elderly paralleled by a persisting interest in sexual activity.