Negative effects of male sexual dysfunction on female sexual response: results of a direct questionaire of 521 married women from upper Egypt

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A little is known about the physiological and psychological background of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The objective of this study was to examine the sexual response in women in relation to sexual performance of their husbands. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 521 married women attending maternal and child health care centers and family planning centers in Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Socio-demographic data were obtained from participants. A direct interview of participants was done using a modified version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. The later covered 6 sexual domains in females (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain). Four questions were added to evaluate sexual functions in husbands (desire, erection, ejaculation and orgasm). RESULTS: Out of the 521 women, 190 (36%) were not sexually satisfied. Husband sexual dysfunction was reported in 75 cases (14.4%) where 16 had erectile dysfunction and 61 had premature ejaculation. Sexual dissatisfaction was significantly high (P < 0.05) among women whose husbands had sexual dysfunction (57%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that sexual problems in husbands may play a role in the pathogenesis of FSD. Such observation emphasizes the importance of couple approach in the context of diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction.