Sexual Quality Of Life-Female Research Articles

Breastfeeding and Sexual Activity and Sexual Quality in Postpartum Women

Background: Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for infants. Breastfeeding can affect sexual activity and sexual quality of women in the postpartum period. Objective: The present study was carried out to determine the effect of breastfeeding on sexual activity and sexual quality in postpartum women. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 161 breastfeeding and 176 nonbreastfeeding women who were cared for in the Family Health Centers utilizing the Descriptive Information Form and Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. Results: Half of the breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding women included in the study had cesarean delivery and the women in both groups reported changes in their sexual life (having less sexual intercourse, and suffering from dyspareunia) during the postpartum period. In the present study, 68.3% of the breastfeeding women and 47.7% of the nonbreastfeeding women experienced dyspareunia, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was also a statistical difference between the breastfeeding women and nonbreastfeeding women in terms of the types of changes experienced in sexual life (p < 0.05). The rate of the women who enjoyed sexual satisfaction more was higher in the nonbreastfeeding women (15.9%) than in the breastfeeding women (1.2%). The SQOL-F scale total mean score was 60.07 ± 9.88 in the breastfeeding women and 62.81 ± 9.66 in the nonbreastfeeding women, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In the present study, the sexual life quality mean scores between the breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding women were moderate and similar to each other. The fact was that the reported sexual life quality was similar in the breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding women despite the association of a lower sexual desire and frequency of intercourse in the breastfeeding group, suggesting that breastfeeding may serve as a sexual alternative for nursing mothers.

The effects of psychosexual counseling on sexual quality of life and function in Iranian breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

Considering different dimensions of life, special sex life for survivors of breast cancer (BC) is important because their life expectancy has increased. We designed this study to improve the sexual function, satisfaction and quality of sexual life. In a randomized controlled clinical trial study, from a total 286 breast cancer survivors (BCS), 118 women enrolled to the study. After providing informed consent, the participants were randomly assigned either to the intervention group or to the waitlist control group. The intervention consisted of six weekly psychosexual counseling sessions that lasted from 90 to 120min. Data were collected by the demographic and clinical forms, Beck Depression Inventory, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire and sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. Mean age of patients in control and intervention groups were 43.8 ± 6.6 and 44.84 ± 6.7, respectively. More than 65% of the patients in the both groups were either normal or showed a low level of depression. Sexual function (FSFI) scores and sexual quality of life (SQOL-F), showed a significant statistic differences after intervention (P < 0.001 in both tools). Sexual satisfaction (Larson) has showed improvement in some subclasses, however, change in total score was not statistically significant (P = 0.073). The psychosexual intervention program was effective in improving sexual function and quality of sexual life among BCS. This intervention has clinical significance as it provided an opportunity for the women to discuss their sexual issues.

Effect of the EX-PLISSIT model on sexual function and sexual quality of life among women after hysterectomy: a randomised controlled trial.

A randomised controlled trial was conducted between 2016 and 2017. Of 354 women undergoing hysterectomy, 80 women without anxiety, stress or depression who showed signs of sexual dysfunction were selected and, using blocked randomisation, were assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received two 1-h counselling sessions each week based on the EX-PLISSIT model. The control group received no counselling. Mood and sexual function and quality of life were measured using established tools (i.e. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Sexual Quality of Life - Female (SQOL-F)). Eight weeks after completion of counselling, outcomes were compared between the intervention and control groups using independent t-tests and Chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and Fisher tests. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographics and most other outcome variables. However, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of sexual functioning (median (interquartile range (IQR) FSFI score 32.45 (28.47-33.52) vs 23.85 (20.52-26.45) respectively) and sexual quality of life (median (IQR) SQOL-F score 107.50 (91-108) vs 87 (62.75-96.25), respectively) at the 8-week follow-up (P < 0.001 for both). Use of the EX-PLISSIT model is recommended to sexual health care professionals.

Sexual problems, marital intimacy and quality of sex life among married women: A study from an Islamic country

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Female sexual problems as a multifactorial phenomenon is influenced by numerous psychological, interpersonal, physiological and cultural determinants especially among Muslim women, where complaining about sexual issue is not easy. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexual problems and assess its contributing factors.Methods: In 2016, applying a cross-sectional study, cluster, random sampling was employed to recruit 475 married women in the range of 20–35 years of age referred to the urban health centers in Tabriz, Iran. The self-administered Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Quality of Life-Female and Marital Intimacy were completed by the respondents.Results: Considering the cut-off point of sexual dysfunction index, about 73.7% of the respondents were suffering from sexual problems. In addition, sexual problems, quality of sex life and marital intimacy differed mostly by sex-related behaviors and the characteristics of female sexual dysfunction were related to the quality of sex life and marital intimacy (p < 0.001).Conclusion: High prevalence of sexual problems among Iranian women is an alarming issue that threatens their quality of sex life, marital intimacy and consequently, mental health. Our findings will help family health policy-makers to plan and implement sexual health promotion programs aiming at improving sexual life among couples.

Depression, sexual dysfunction and sexual quality of life in women with infertility

BackgroundWomen suffering from infertility are at higher risk of experiencing psychological problems. Sexual function and sexual related quality of life is not considered as it should be. We designed this study to assess depression, sexual function and sexual quality of life in Iranian women with infertility.MethodsTwo hundred and sixty four individuals participated in the study (115 healthy controls, 78 with primary and 71 with secondary infertility). All participants were asked to fill a valid and reliable Persian versions of BDI (Beck depression inventory), FSFIS (Female Sexual Function Index) and sexual quality of life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaires.ResultsMean BDI score was significantly lower in healthy individuals.Individuals with primary infertility suffered more from sexual dysfunction, while BDI score was significantly higher and SQOL-F was significantly lower in cases with sexual dysfunction. There was significant positive correlation between SQOL-F and total FSFI score (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis by considering SQOL-F as dependent and age, BDI, duration of marriage, sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤26.55 or > 26.55) showed that BDI and sexual dysfunction were independent predictors of SQOL-F.ConclusionSexual function and quality of life related to sexual life should be considered in Iranian infertile ones. Depression as a crucial factor should be focused more in infertile women.

074 The Impact of Fiera + Remote on Female Sexual Function, Relationship Satisfaction, and Sexual Quality of Life

The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of Fiera + Remote, a women’s personal care device, on sexual function, relationship satisfaction, and sexual quality of life when used immediately prior to partnered sexual activity. This prospective cohort study was conducted in women between the ages of 25 and 75 currently engaged in a sexually active, partnered relationship. Participants were recruited through a third-party research firm. Study-eligible participants had to have at least one sexual concern, although they were not assessed for sexual dysfunction. Participants were instructed to use Fiera + Remote prior to sexual activity with their partner at least 4 times within the 4-week study period. Study instruments included the validated Sexual Quality of Life - Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire, which was completed at baseline and at the end of the study period, as well as the validated Monash Women’s Health Program Female Sexuality Satisfaction Questionnaire (FSSQ), which was completed within 24 hours of each use of Fiera + Remote. The self-generated Nuelle End-Of-Test questionnaire was completed at the end of the 4-week study period to assess the impact of Fiera + Remote on both relationship satisfaction and sexual function.

Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Female Sexual Quality of Life [22M

INTRODUCTION: Sexual quality of life serves a prominent role in overall patient health and well-being. Adverse childhood events have been shown to not only factor into the development of chronic disease such as ischemic heart disease and cancer but to also negatively impact sexual health. Our study sought to determine the association between reported adverse childhood experiences and female sexual quality of life. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study that included 100 women seeking care at a Cleveland Clinic Akron General obstetrical and/or gynecologic office in Akron, Ohio. Two validated surveys, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F), were distributed to women age 18 and older. SQOL-F questionnaire items were organized into four sub-scales: psychosexual feelings, sexual and relationship satisfaction, self-worthlessness, and sexual repression. Spearman’s rank correlation was employed to determine the relationship between ACE scores and overall sexual quality of life and the four SQOL-F sub-scales. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between ACE score and overall sexual quality of life. An increasing ACE score was significantly correlated to feelings of self-worthlessness and poor psychosexual feelings (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Data indicated that adverse childhood experiences do not play a role in the overall sexual quality of life for women however instead may influence self-confidence and personal perceptions towards sexual experiences. Primary care physicians should consider screening for adverse childhood experiences and possibly suggesting psychological interventions to improve patient perception of self and in turn improve sexual quality of life.

Spinal cord injury and women's sexual life: case-control study.

The objective of this study was to estimate the magnitude of association between spinal cord injury (SCI) and women's quality of sexual life and sexual function. This study was conducted in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. From the referral university-based clinics, we used simple random sampling to recruit 62 women: 31 women with SCI and 31 women without SCI. Socio-demographic and reproductive traits questionnaire, Sexual Quality of life-Female (SQOL-F), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) were completed using telephone and face-to-face interviews in the cases and controls. After univariate analyses, multivariate linear and proportional odds regression models were conducted to investigate the relation between SCI and women's quality of sexual life, as well as sexual function. The mean age of cases and controls was 35.42±6.51 and 33.77±4.02 years. Most women were high school-educated and housewives. Adjusting for probable confounders, the proportional odds regression model showed a significant relationship between the spinal cord injury (AOR=4.2, 95% CI: 1.8-9.2), non-college-educated (AOR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.2-5.9) and employed (AOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8) variables and being in one of the moderate or poor quality of life classes. Scores of SQOL-F and FSFI domains, except satisfaction, were significantly worse in cases versus controls (P<0.001). Although our participants showed low sexual dysfunction, they tended to report moderate to poor quality of sexual life. Our findings support the implication that sexual rehabilitation must be provided for women with SCI soon after injury.

Pelvic floor muscle disorders and women’s quality of life

Purpose: To characterize the symptoms of urinary incontinence of women suffering from pelvic organ disorders (POP) and the effect of these problems on quality of life (QoL). Materials and methods: 215 women from rural regions diagnosed with POP were examined. The research implemented the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LISAT-11), used to assess quality of life; the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQoL-F) questionnaire, which was employed to assess sexual activity; and the Gaudenz-Incontinence questionnaire, served to assess the occurrence of symptoms of urinary incontinence as well as to define the type of urinary incontinence and its degree of escalation. Results: The average age of the participants was 54.8 years. Most of the participants had urinary incontinence (159; 73.95%). Women with POP and symptoms of urinary incontinence achieved a lower indicator of the sexual function QoL (median - 61.00) when compared to those not suffering from urinary incontinence (median- 78.00). Differences between the groups were statistically significant (p=0.002). The general indicator of QoL for women with symptoms and those without symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) did not reveal any significant differences between the groups (p=0.643). Conclusions: Urinary incontinence in women with disorders of pelvic floor muscle functions has an insignificant effect on general QoL, whereas it has a decidedly negative impact on sexual function QoL.

Effects of Sexual Rehabilitation Using the PLISSIT Model on Quality of Sexual Life and Sexual Functioning in Post-Mastectomy Breast Cancer Survivors

Background and Objectives:As one of the most common treatments for breast cancer, mastectomy has adverse effects on the quality of sexual life and sexual functioning in the impacted women. Various strategies have therefore been proposed to resolve their sexual problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of sexual rehabilitation using the PLISSIT model in post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors.Materials and Methods:The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on a population of post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors and their husbands. Sample size was calculated as 50 each for intervention and non-intervention groups. The former received sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model consisting of four levels of intervention: permission, limited information, specific suggestion and intensive therapy, presented in four 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).Results:No significant differences were observed in the mean quality of sexual life scores between the intervention and control groups (P>0.05) before the intervention; however, a significant difference emerged between the groups after the intervention (P<0.01). Thus the mean score for sexual functioning in the intervention group was 26.3±3.76 before and30.0±4.38 after the intervention (P<0.0001). In the control group, however, the difference between the pre- and post-intervention mean scores was not statistically significant (P=0.713).Conclusion:The present study showed that nurses can use the PLISSIT model in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to teach coping and problem-solving skills to women with breast cancer and their husbands and to encourage their participation in group programs for expressing their feelings and attitudes about their current sex life and thus help enhance quality of sexual life and sexual functioning in this group.

Effect of long-term intranasal oxytocin on sexual dysfunction in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: a randomized trial

To assess the effect of on-demand intranasal oxytocin administration on female sexual function and activity. Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with duration of 22 weeks. Academic medical center. Thirty pre-and postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. Over 8 weeks, intranasal oxytocin (32 IU) or placebo self-administered by women within 50 minutes before sexual intercourse; after a washout period of 2 weeks, crossover with patients switched to the alternate group for another 8 weeks. Primary outcome parameter: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); secondary outcome parameters: Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F), Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory-Female (SIDI-F), and Hamilton depression scale (HDS). After oxytocin and placebo, the FSFI score increased by 26% and 31%, SQOL-F score by 144% and 125%, and SIDI-F score by 29% and 23%, respectively (repeated measures analysis of variance between groups). After oxytocin and placebo, the FSDS score decreased by 36% and 45%, respectively (repeated measures analysis of variance between groups). There was no statistically significant treatment, sequence (placebo first/second), or interaction effect. Long-term intranasal oxytocin and placebo administration both improved sexual function and symptoms of depression in women over time with no treatment, sequence (placebo first/second), or interaction effect. NCT02229721.

Female Sexual Function Before and After Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-Sectional Study and Review of Literature.

BackgroundThe aims of the present study were to compare sexual quality of life and prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) after surgical weight loss with controls seeking bariatric surgery, and to perform a literature review.MethodsFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Sexual Quality of Life–Female (SQoL-F) questionnaires were sent within 12–18 months postoperatively via e-mail to 153 women who had undergone weight loss surgery (postoperative group). The control group comprised of 23 women who were asked to complete the questionnaires during their preoperative evaluation (preoperative group). The total FSFI cutoff score for a diagnosis of FSD was ≤ 26.55.ResultsThe median (Q1, Q3) FSFI score did not differ significantly between the preoperative (26.9 [24.3, 30.7]) and postoperative groups (26.9 [22.6, 30.0]). There was no difference in the prevalence of FSD between groups. However, median scores in FSFI domains of desire and arousal were significantly higher in the postoperative group. There were no differences in the other FSFI domains. The median SQoL-F was significantly higher in the postoperative group.ConclusionsThe FSFI score did not predict the SQoL-F score. The prevalence of FSD was comparable in the two groups. The higher SQoL-F score in the postoperative group may be the result of an improvement in self-esteem, which in turn leads to greater interest in sex and more intense feelings of desire and arousal.

The sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F) questionnaire: translation and psychometric properties of the Iranian version.

BackgroundFemale sexual dysfunction is a common condition that extremely affects reproductive health and quality of life. To assess this health condition, a valid and reliable questionnaire is required. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire in Iran.MethodForward-backward procedure was applied to translate the questionnaire from English into Persian. After linguistic validation and pilot examination, a cross-sectional study was carried out and psychometric properties of the Iranian version of questionnaire were tested. One hundred reproductive aged, married, healthy and sexually active women completed the questionnaire. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and test-retest (intraclass correlation coefficient) analyses. In addition, content, and face validity were assessed and the factor structure of the questionnaire was extracted by performing exploratory factor analysis.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 33 (SD = 8.07) years, and the mean quality of sexual life score was 86.4 (SD = 1.78) ranging from 36 to 108. Most women were housewife (n = 92). Reliability evaluation revealed high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.73 and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.88. The mean scores for the content validity index (CVI) and the content validity ratio (CVR) were 0.91 and 0.84, respectively. The results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated a four-factor solution for the questionnaire that jointly accounted for 60.8% of variance observed.ConclusionThe findings from this study suggest that the Iranian version of SQOL-F questionnaire has good psychometric properties and it will be useful to assess the female sexual quality of life in reproductive health care settings.

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Sexual quality of life in women who have undergone female genital mutilation: a case–control study

Please cite this paper as: Andersson S, Rymer J, Joyce D, Momoh C, Gayle C. Sexual quality of life in women who have undergone female genital mutilation: a case–control study. BJOG 2012;119:1606–1611.Objective To investigate the sexual quality of life of women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and compare them with a similar group who has not undergone FGM.Design Case–control study.Setting A large central London teaching hospital.Population A total of 73 women who had undergone FGM and 37 control women, who had not undergone FGM but were from a similar cultural background where FGM is practiced.Methods The women completed a questionnaire containing the Sexual Quality of Life‐Female (SQOL‐F) questionnaire.Main outcome measures SQOL‐F score.Results Women who have undergone FGM of any type have a significantly lower (P &lt; 0.001) overall SQOL‐F score than control women (mean = 62.44, SD = 27.93 versus mean = 88.84, SD = 13.73). Women who were sexually active and had undergone FGM type III differed the most from sexually active controls (P &lt; 0.05) in their SQOL‐F score. Women who were sexually inactive but who had undergone FGM reported significantly lower overall SQOL‐F scores (P = 0.015) than sexually inactive controls, but were not differentiated by type of FGM.Conclusion FGM significantly reduces women’s sexual quality of life, based on the results of the SQOL‐F questionnaire.

Sexual Function Questionnaire: Further Refinement and Validation

The Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ) is a self-report outcome measure of female sexual function. It has recently been refined to create a 28-item version (SFQ28) including the addition of a new arousal-cognitive domain. This study aimed to validate the SFQ28 in female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) populations and to develop a screening cut-score for the arousal-cognitive domain. Women with FSAD (n=222) and HSDD (n=114) and 303 women without female sexual dysfunction (FSD) completed the SFQ28, the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) at a clinic visit. Retests were performed within FSD groups only (FSAD: n=92, HSDD: n=183), using postal questionnaires 7-14 days later. The optimal cut-score for the arousal-cognitive domain was based on diagnostic tests of sensitivity and specificity from a receiver operating characteristic curve. Psychometric analyses. The factor analysis confirmed the domain structure of the SFQ28. The SFQ28 demonstrated excellent internal consistency, test retest reliability and known groups validity, and good convergent validity with the FSDS and SQOL-F for all domains except pain. The sensitivity/specificity analysis determined a screening cut-score of 5 for the arousal-cognitive domain. Given the replication of the psychometric data and the cut-scores for each domain, the SFQ28 is a robust measure that can be used in women with either FSAD or HSDD.

Development of a Questionnaire on Sexual Quality of Life in Women

The Sexual Quality of Life–Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire has been developed to assess the impact of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) on a woman's sexual quality of life. SQOL-F items were developed through interviews with 82 women. Three data sets from women's health surveys in the United Kingdom and the United States generated data for scale validation. The SQOL-F showed good psychometric properties: convergent validity, discriminant validity, and test-retest reliability. The SQOL-F is a valid instrument for assessing the impact of FSD on quality of life and as an adjunct in evaluating FSD in clinical trials. The SQOL-F sensitivity to changes in sexual function needs confirmation.