Female sexual dysfunction among clients at the counseling unit on sexual health of Tu Du Hospital in 2015

Abstract

Background: Female sexual dysfunction was proved be associated with various factors, but little information has been documented in Vietnam.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiologic characteristics and domains of female sexual dysfunction among 167 clients diagnosed female sexual dysfunction at the Counseling Unit on Sexual Health of Tu Du hospital in the year of 2015.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Subjects were the ones seeking advices for sexual problems. Data were collected by the self-administered Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire which is a Vietnamese translation of the original English version. Questions cover six domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Cut-off for an overall female sexual dysfunction or a specific domain was based on previous studies.

Results: Only 14.4% of subjects knew about the Counseling Unit of Tu Du hospital before coming. The proportions of six domains of female sexual disorder were high and in the order as Orgasm, Satisfaction, Arousal, Lubrication, Desire, and Painful intercourse. The mean score of overall dysfunction was 20,62 ± 2.13, much lower than the cut-off point of 26.55. Most of the subjects have suffered from sexual dysfunction for 2 to 12 months before seeking professional help. Only 17,96 % of the subjects had a correct knowledge about normal human heterosexual response. Trouble in family relationship was found the most common related factors.

Conclusions: Women have the essential need for caring their sexual life. Counseling Unit on Sexual Health should be formed in medical facilities and publically introduced to give better opportunity to those who are in need of counseling and supporting.