Socio-demographic determinants of low sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a population-based study in Iran

Zeinab Hamzehgardeshi,Mehdi Pourasghar,Soghra Khani,Mina Malary,Narges Alianmoghaddam,Mahmood Moosazadeh

doi:10.1186/s12905-020-01097-0

Abstract

BackgroundVarious socio-demographic factors have been introduced as the determinants of Low Sexual Desire (LSD), but whether these variables can also contribute to the Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), remains uncertain. In this study, we sought to identify the socio-demographic determinants of LSD and HSDD in Iranian women of reproductive age.MethodsThis was a population-based, cross-sectional study of 1000 married Iranian women of reproductive age (16–49 years) who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were chosen using the systematic random sampling method from all the healthcare centres in the city of Sari, Iran. LSD was defined as a score no higher than 33 on the Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory-Female (SIDI-F). The sexually-related personal distress was considered as a score of at least 11.0 on the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), and HSDD was determined based on the sum of those scores. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics and a chi-square test was run for data analysis using grouping variables. Multivariate logistic regression test was also employed to adjust the effect of confounding variables.ResultsThe mean score of sexual interest/desire among women was 30.6 ± 10.5. After adjusting the effect of confounding variables, logistic regression showed that socio-demographic variables including age at first intercourse, length of marriage and the level of satisfaction with income were significantly associated with both LSD and HSDD (P < 0.01). While advancing age (P < 0.001) and body mass index (P < 0.01) were just predictors of LSD.ConclusionSome socio-demographic factors could predict LSD in women, while they were not associated with HSDD. In other words, some factors associated with LSD do not instigate sexually-related personal distress, which is one of the criteria necessary for the diagnosis of HSDD.

Highlights

Various socio-demographic factors have been introduced as the determinants of Low Sexual Desire (LSD), but whether these variables can contribute to the Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), remains uncertain
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IVTR), an LSD which can cause significant personal distress is the primary indicator of HSDD
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), HSDD is categorized under the Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD), which is a controversial reform

Summary

Introduction

Various socio-demographic factors have been introduced as the determinants of Low Sexual Desire (LSD), but whether these variables can contribute to the Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), remains uncertain. We sought to identify the socio-demographic determinants of LSD and HSDD in Iranian women of reproductive age. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is one of the most common types of female sexual dysfunction that can affect women of all ages. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IVTR), an LSD which can cause significant personal distress is the primary indicator of HSDD. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), HSDD is categorized under the Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD), which is a controversial reform. Arguments about the epidemiology of FSIAD have been based on the extrapolation of studies using HSDD rather than FSIAD criteria [4]

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Conclusion