Prevalence and related factors for anorgasmia among reproductive aged women in Hesarak, Iran

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Orgasmic dysfunction in women is characterized by persistent or recurrent delay in or absence of orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase. Research has shown that almost two thirds of women have concerns about their sexual relationship. Sexual dysfunction has many problems for couples; some researchers found that up to 67% of divorces related to sexual disorders.OBJECTIVE:The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to assess the prevalence and related factors of anorgasmia among reproductive age Iranian women.METHODS:This study was conducted in 2006–7 in Hesarak, Karaj, Iran. A total of 1200 women were randomly recruited to the study. Sexual satisfaction questions were prepared according to the Enrich Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. Orgasms were assessed according to the relevant questions in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 11; Chi‐square, Mann–Whitney and independent t‐test were used for statistical purposes.RESULTS:This study showed that the prevalence of anorgasmia among Iranian women in Hesarak, Karaj, was 26.3%. There was a significant difference between the anorgasmic and normal orgasm groups regarding the women's age, age at marriage, duration of marriage and education during puberty (p<0.05). Some psychological factors, e.g. anxiety, fatigue, pain, feeling of guilt, anti‐masculine feelings and embarrassment in sexual relationships were higher in the anorgasmic group (p<0.001).DISCUSSION:The results of this study showed that the prevalence of anorgasmia in Hesarak is high and most of the anorgasmic women were highly unsatisfied with their sexual relationship compared to the normal orgasm group.CONCLUSION:The prevalence of anorgasmia among Iranian women in Hesarak, Karaj, is high and some socio‐demographic and psychological factors have a strong relationship with anorgasmia.

Personal factors that contribute to or impair women’s ability to achieve orgasm

“…Some studies have confirmed this statement, 30 whereas others reveal the opposite: orgasm problems are more common in older women. 31,32 Our research found no association between age and orgasm problems, such as the findings of Fugl-Meyer et al, 2 Laumann et al, 33 and Oberg et al 29 It is possible that older women and younger women have different advantages with respect to achieving orgasm. Although older women may have more sexual experience and greater knowledge of their own body, younger women have more sexual desire, 34,35 which, according to our study, is an important factor for achieving orgasm.…”

Prevalence and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in reproductive‐aged married women: A cross‐sectional epidemiological study

“…Such gender inequality issues are apparently associated with lack of formal sexual education and ignorance about sexual anatomy and physiology with presence of conservative beliefs. 26 Therefore, female sexuality and sexual education may be trivialized as a result of sociocultural and/or religious concerns. 26,27 Attainment in formal education (in school) may be expected to decrease FSD.…”

“…26 Therefore, female sexuality and sexual education may be trivialized as a result of sociocultural and/or religious concerns. 26,27 Attainment in formal education (in school) may be expected to decrease FSD. However in our analyses, degree of formal education lost statistical significance in regression models.…”

“…Sex education has been reported to have a significant protective factor against FSD. 26,27 Appropriate school-based sexuality education programs that deliver consistent and accurate information should be integrated into educational curricula starting from primary school. These programs need to take into account forms of diversity including culture and religion.…”

Prevalence and risk factors of the female sexual dysfunction in a sample of infertile Iranian women

“…The FSFI has received extensive psychometric evaluation in clinical and nonclinical samples [20][21][22]. The FSFI has been previously used to assess FSD among Iranian women [22][23][24][25]. A recent study evaluating the psychometric properties of the FSFI found the translated version to be a reliable and valid tool to screen Iranian women with unknown sexual health status, with Cronbach alpha's ranging from α = 0.72 to α = 0.90, as well as excellent construct validity [22].…”