Female Sexual Dysfunction in Association with Sexual History, Sexual Abuse and Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hungary

Abstract

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has a negative impact on women's quality of life, self-esteem, and physical health. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and the factors associated with FSD using an online questionnaire. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young adults (18-35 years old) in Hungary using the DSM-5 criteria. The participants (n = 5942) were divided into three major groups: FSD (20.3%), an intermediate group (43.9%), and a control group (35.6%). Most of the women showing FSD were affected with female orgasmic disorder (9.2%) and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (4.6%), while female sexual interest/arousal disorder was found in altogether 100 women (1.7%); 4.8% of women were affected by more than one definite disorder. The occurrence of female sexual dysfunction was related to the women's previous sexual history (first sexual experience, sexual education, early encounter with pornographic content, and sexual abuse), their self-satisfaction (with their own body, genitalia, and sexual attraction), and their sexual orientation. Sexual dysfunction showed a strong association with abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and self-esteem. The present study identified the relationship between sexual dysfunctions and other health conditions, which can be the basis for some form of screening and early assistance programs for FSD.

Keywords: DSM-5; female sexual dysfunction; satisfaction; sexual abuse; sexual disorder; sexual history.

Figure 1

Transformation of DSM-5 criteria into online questions. The DSM-5 identifies three female sexual disorders (FOD, FSIAD, GPPPD) within sexual dysfunctions. The DSM-5 is structured by dividing each criterion into different subsections: Criterion A is the presence of the symptom. Criterion B is duration, that is, how long the symptoms persist. Criterion C draws attention to the fact that symptoms cause clinically significant suffering to the individual (according to subjective acknowledgment), thus attempting to avoid an excessive tendency to medicalization. Criterion D, as differential diagnostic issues are sequenced and excluded (the problem is not better explained by a nonsexual mental disorder and cannot be attributed to causes such as relationship stressors, medical conditions, or medication/substance effects). FSD: Female Sexual Dysfunction. FOD: Female Orgasmic Disorder. FSIAD: Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder. GPPPD: Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder. MFSD: Multiple Female Sexual Dysfunction. DSM-5: Diagnostic Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition.