Summary
Schnatz et al examined the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in a sample of 102 women at the Women's Life Center at Hartford Hospital (2004-2008) in Connecticut. Women were age 52.9 ± 6.8, 80.0% Hispanic, and 47.8% were unemployed. A total of 92.8% earned less than $25,000, and 95.8% did not have a college degree. Researchers defined FSD as: decreased sexual desire, dyspareunia, or vaginal dryness, depression, and anxiety.
FSD was identified in 75.6% of participants; prevalence of depression was 80.9% in women with a decrease in sexual desire versus 52.8% (P = 0.01) in those without; anxiety was identified in 76.6% of women with a decrease in sexual desire versus 45.7% (P = 0.01) in those without. Prevalence of depression was 83.3% among women reporting dyspareunia versus 55.9% (P = 0.03) among those who did not. Anxiety was identified in 76.7% among those reporting dyspareunia versus 52.9% (P = 0.07) among those who did not. The only variable associated with a statistically higher likelihood of FSD were sleep problems (odds ratio, 5.57, 95% confidence interval, 1.22-25.33, P = 0.03) and no significant differences were seen when comparing FSD between Hispanics and non-Hispanics.