Clinical evaluation of female sexual function: effects of age and estrogen status on subjective and physiologic sexual responses

Abstract

Introduction: 30-50% of American women complain of sexual dysfunction. Aging, menopause, and a decline in circulating estrogen levels significantly increase the incidence of sexual complaints. Evaluation of physiologic components of the female sexual response has, in the past, been technically challenging and difficult to standardize. We describe methodology for evaluating physiologic and subjective components of the female sexual response in the clinical setting and determine the effects of age and estrogen status on them.

Methods: 48 women with complaints of sexual dysfunction were evaluated. Physiologic measurements include genital blood peak systolic velocity, vaginal pH, intravaginal pressure-volume changes (compliance), and genital vibratory perception thresholds. Measurements were recorded at baseline and following sexual stimulation. Baseline subjective sexual function was assessed using a Female Sexual Function Inventory. Age was then correlated with both physiologic and subjective sexual responses.

Results: Sexual stimulation resulted in increased mean genital blood peak systolic velocity, vaginal pressure-volume, and vaginal pH measurements (P < 0.05) in all women. Older women (ages 55-71 y) and menopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy had significantly lower physiologic response sexual complaints. Baseline subjective sexual function complaints included low arousal (67%), low desire (21%), difficulty achieving orgasm (92%), and pain or discomfort during and/or following intercourse (67%).

Conclusions: Clinical evaluation of physiologic and subjective components of the female sexual response are possible using this comprehensive approach. Physiologic measurements were reproducible and easy to perform, and incidence and types of sexual complaints were assessed with the sexual function questionnaire. A comprehensive approach is necessary when evaluating female sexual dysfunction due to the significant emotional and relational factors that can contribute to the problem. This combined subjective/physiologic assessment may also prove useful when evaluating efficacy of pharmacotherapy in the future.