Sexual dysfunction among young married women in southern India

This study aimed to identify the nature, prevalence, and factors associated with female sexual disorders (FSD). We assessed 150 women using the following instruments: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV), Sexual Disorders, Female Sexual Function Index, World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), an abbreviated version of the WHOQOL-100, and a pro forma to record sociodemographic and clinical details. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression models used to adjust for confounders. A third of the 150 women met DSM IV criteria for FSD. The common disorders were hypoactive desire (16.67 %) and arousal (14.67) and orgasmic disorders (18 %). Women with any DSM IV diagnosis of sexual disorder had a poorer QOL (t = -3.1; df = 148; p = 0.002) in general and had impaired social relationships (t = -3.5; df = 148; p = 0.001) and lower environmental scores (t = -2.8; df = 148; p = 0.005) in particular. A minority of women reported sexual dysfunction. Hypoactive desire and arousal and orgasmic disorders were the common conditions. The presence of dysfunction was associated with poor QOL.