Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence
and associated factors of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in
Lower Egypt.
Design A cross-sectional clinic-/hospital-based survey.
Setting Five district medical centres in Dakahlia Governorate:
Shirbin, Bilquas, Samblawen, Dekrinis and Mansoura City.
Population One thousand married women aged between 16 and
49 years.
Methods Data were collected by personal interview in
a questionnaire format in addition to physical examination
(when allowed).
Main outcome measures FSD and associated risk factors.
Results The response rate was 93.6%. 68.9% of women had one or
more sexual problems; however, 23% of the women with sexual
problems were not distressed by these issues. 31.5% of women
suffered from dyspareunia. 49.6% of the women had decreased
sexual desire, 36% had difficult arousal and 16.9% had anorgasmia
(primary and secondary). Marital disharmony, ‘hate’ and
unfavourable socio-economic circumstances were the most
common aggravating factors (28.1%) for sexual dysfunction
among the participants, followed by pregnancy-related events
(15.7%). Most women (84.5%) received no help for their sexual
problems. 90.3% of the women were circumcised. Only 7.1%
(46 of 645) of women with sexual problems had received
treatment, with no real improvement reported in 58.7% (27 of the
46 women).
Conclusions FSD is a highly prevalent problem within the scope of
this study. Low reporting rates and very low treatment rates were
identified in the sample from Lower Egypt.