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. 2023 Nov;20(4):780-788.
doi: 10.1037/ser0000733. Epub 2022 Dec 19.

Prevalence of sexual desire and arousal difficulties among women veterans: A retrospective cohort design

Alexandra B Caloudas  1 , Amber B Amspoker  1 , Melinda Stanley  2 , Derrecka Boykin  1 , Kelley Arredondo  1 , Annette Walder  1 , Julianna Hogan  1 , Jan A Lindsay  1
Affiliations

Prevalence of sexual desire and arousal difficulties among women veterans: A retrospective cohort design

Alexandra B Caloudas et al. Psychol Serv. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Low sexual desire and arousal are associated with several negative health outcomes, including reduced quality of life, depression, anxiety, and relationship discord. Although women veterans have high rates of risk factors for sexual dysfunctions (e.g., elevated rates of trauma, depression, anxiety), research on their sexual functioning is lacking. Using a retrospective cohort design, we examined the prevalence of documented sexual desire and arousal disorder diagnoses or symptoms, using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes, among 790,726 women veterans receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In fiscal year 2020, these symptoms and disorders were documented for only 0.19% (n = 1,494) of women veterans receiving care and symptoms of low sexual desire were documented more frequently than formal desire and arousal diagnoses. Most women veterans with desire and arousal problems were married (53.88%), and most (52.28%) were prescribed antidepressants. Mental health (MH) treatment for desire and arousal difficulties was commonly delivered in person (as compared to telephone or telehealth). Psychologists primarily treated desire and arousal concerns, providing an average of 2.81 MH encounters (SD = 7.53) compared to an average of 1.62 (SD = 5.25) MH encounters by social workers and 1.22 (SD = 2.53) by psychiatrists. Problems with low sexual desire and arousal are likely underassessed and undertreated within the VHA. Better assessment of women veterans' low desire and arousal is warranted to improve their well-being and quality of life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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