Effect of chronic skin disease on female sexual function (FSF) among married Egyptian women

Abstract

Background Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a term used to describe various sexual problems, such as low desire or interest, diminished arousal, orgasmic difficulties, and dyspareunia. Objectives The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of chronic skin disease on female sexual function among married Egyptian females as well as the prevalence of FSD among them and its effect on their husbands. Patients and methods The study was conducted on 300 sexually active married Egyptian women attending the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Minia University Hospital and Kom Elshokafa Clinic (Alexandria). All women were asked to fill out the female sexual function index sheet using the Arabic validated translated version of it. Those with FSD were asked about its effect on their husbands. Results We reported that 234 (78%) women with chronic skin disease had sexual dysfunction. Despite dysfunction being more common among those who had skin disease, compared with nondysfunction, it was not statistically significantly different among most skin diseases. There was a positive correlation between female’s age and percentage of dysfunction. It was found that only 15.9% of those with FSD showed an effect on their partners in the form of decreased libido. Limitations Limitations include the lack of a control group; the standardization of data, which may not be representative of the community, as they related to specific areas; and being a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Conclusion Our study revealed a high prevalence of FSD (78%) among Egyptian married women with chronic skin disease in both Minia and Kom Elshokafa (Alexandria) districts. However, it was not statistically significantly different among most skin diseases, with affection of only 15.9% of their partners.