The problem of calculating the prevalence of sexual dysfunction: a meta-analysis attending gender

Abstract

Introduction Sexuality is an integral part of human health, and sexual dysfunctions are prevalent issues that affect men and women. While reviews on sexual dysfunctions in various diseases have been conducted, overall data are scarce. Objectives To update the overall prevalence of sexual dysfunctions from available prevalence studies on both sexes. Methods We used a 2-phase selection process to include cross-sectional studies that were conducted on the adult population and published between 2017 and 2022. The extracted data were prevalence, methodology, sample size, and location. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess heterogeneity. Results This review analyzed 4407 studies. Twenty-three met the established criteria: 9 on the male population and 14 on the female population. The meta-analysis included 7 articles on males and 13 on females. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 31% in men and 41% in women, with significant heterogeneity among the studies. Sociocultural differences and use of varying measurement methods were identified as the main factors contributing to heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis revealed decreased heterogeneity among studies that used the Female Sexual Function Index as a diagnostic tool for females. Conclusions The review highlights the notable variability in results due to methodological and geographic variations. Therefore, enhancing the training of professionals and standardizing the recording of patient data—through the Female Sexual Function Index and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire or by developing new ones for this purpose—could improve the consistency of research on sexual health.