Correlates of Sexually Related Personal Distress in Women with Low Sexual Desire

Abstract

Introduction Sexual distress is an important component of diagnostic criteria for sexual dysfunctions, but little is known about the factors associated with sexual distress in women with low sexual desire. Aim To investigate the correlates of sexual distress in women with self-reported low sexual desire. Methods The Prevalence of Female Sexual Problems Associated with Distress and Determinants of Treatment Seeking study was a cross-sectional, nationally representative, mailed survey of U.S. adult women. There were 31,581 respondents (response rate 63.2%) to the 42-item questionnaire that measured sexual function, sexual distress, demographic, and health-related factors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the correlates of distress. Main Outcome Measures Low sexual desire was defined as a response of “never” or “rarely” to the question, “How often do you desire to engage in sexual activity?” Sexual distress was measured with the Female Sexual Distress Scale (range 0–48), with a score of 15 or higher indicating presence of distress. Results Of 10,429 women with low desire, 2,868 (27.5%) had sexual distress (mean age 48.6 years, 81% with a current partner). Women without distress were 10 years older on average, and 44% had a current partner. Having a partner was strongly related to distress (odds ratio 4.6, 95% confidence interval 4.1–5.2). Other correlates were age, race, current depression, anxiety, lower social functioning, hormonal medication use, urinary incontinence, and concurrent sexual problems (arousal or orgasm). Dissatisfaction with sex life was more common in women with low desire and distress (65%) than in those without distress (20%). Conclusions Age has a curvilinear relationship with distress, and the strongest correlate of sexual distress was having a current partner. Sexual distress and dissatisfaction with sex life are strongly correlated. Distress is higher in women with low sexual desire in a partner relationship; further research on this factor is needed.

Predictors of Sexual Distress in Women with Desire and Arousal Difficulties: Distinguishing Between Personal, Partner, and Interpersonal Distress

“…In addition, our study confirmed earlier findings showing that relational satisfaction is relevant to the prediction of sexual distress due to desire and arousal impairments, but this was only significant for perceived partner-and interpersonal distress, 3,[15][16][17][18][19][20] Women have various reasons to engage in sex with their partner. 39 However, with the presence of a sexual impairment, the motivation to have sex is more likely to be influenced by interpersonal compared to intrapersonal reasons.…”

“…3,15,17 This finding further underscores the importance of differentiating between general distress about sexuality and distress that is specifically due to a sexual impairment.…”

“…3,15,17,[20][21][22] The presence of sexual impairments appears to be a weak predictor of general distress when these other variables are controlled for. 3,15,17 In contrast to studies on more general distress, only a few studies have explicitly asked women to evaluate the degree to which they experienced distress that was specifically due to the sexual impairment, and explored predictors of this type of sexual distress. 14,23,24 Öberg and Fugl-Meyer found, for most types of sexual impairments, that women´s sexual distress was related to low relationship satisfaction and the presence of a (male) partner's sexual problems.…”

“…14 General distress has consistently been found to be associated with psychological (e.g., depression and anxiety) and relational factors (e.g., lower relationship satisfaction). 3,[15][16][17][18][19][20] Some studies also found age, physical health, educational level, (not) 3 having a partner, and the partner's sexual difficulties to be associated with general sexual distress. 3,15,17,[20][21][22] The presence of sexual impairments appears to be a weak predictor of general distress when these other variables are controlled for.…”

“…3,[15][16][17][18][19][20] Some studies also found age, physical health, educational level, (not) 3 having a partner, and the partner's sexual difficulties to be associated with general sexual distress. 3,15,17,[20][21][22] The presence of sexual impairments appears to be a weak predictor of general distress when these other variables are controlled for. 3,15,17 In contrast to studies on more general distress, only a few studies have explicitly asked women to evaluate the degree to which they experienced distress that was specifically due to the sexual impairment, and explored predictors of this type of sexual distress.…”