The Prevalence of the Components of Low Sexual Function and Associated Factors in Middle-Aged Women Ana Lúcia Ribeiro Valadares, MD, PhD,* Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto, MD, PhD,* Maria Helena de Souza, PhD, † Maria José Duarte Osis, PhD, † and Lúcia Helena Simões da Costa Paiva, MD, PhD* *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; † CEMICAMP—Research Centre for Maternal and Child Disease of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02405.x ABSTRACT Introduction. Female sexual function depends on biological, psychological, and sociocultural contexts. Aim. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of low levels of functioning in each of the sexual function domains (desire, arousal, and orgasm) and the factors associated with these phenomena, as well as to assess the frequency of sexual activity in this same sample population. Methods. A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted using an anonymous self-response questionnaire completed by 378 Brazilian-born women of 40–65 years of age with 11 years or more of formal education. The evaluation instrument was based on the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire. Results. The prevalence of low sexual desire was 60.6%; low arousal, 37%; and low orgasmic function, 31.1%. Multiple regression analysis showed that having a sexual partner (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.69, confidence interval [CI] = 0.53–0.90) and nervousness (PR = 1.33, CI = 1.01–1.75) were factors associated with low sexual desire. Aging (PR = 1.04, CI = 1.02–1.06), having a sexual partner (PR = 0.57, CI = 0.41–0.81), feeling well/excellent (PR = 0.59, CI = 0.41–0.85), and having hot flashes (PR = 1.47, CI = 1.01 = 2.15) were factors found to be associated with low sexual arousal. Having a sexual partner (PR = 0.55, CI = 0.42–0.71), feeling well/excellent (PR = 0.68, CI = 0.49– 0.94), and having hot flashes (PR = 2.08, CI = 1.43 = 3.04) were factors found to be associated with low sexual orgasmic function. Having a sexual partner (PR = 0.47, CI = 0.38–0.58), feeling well/excellent (PR = 0.78, CI = 0.69–0.89), and having hot flashes (PR = 1.15, CI = 1.05–1.26) were factors found to be associated with a frequency of sexual activity of once a week or less. Conclusions. In this sample of middle-aged women, low sexual desire was the most prevalent sexual problem. These results highlight the importance of identifying and treating factors associated with each individual component of low female sexual function. Valadares ALR, Pinto-Neto AM, de Souza MH, Osis MJD, and da Costa Paiva LHS. The prevalence of the components of low sexual function and associated factors in middle-aged women. J Sex Med 2011;8:2851–2858. Key Words. Low Sexual Function; Menopause; Desire; Arousal; Orgasm; Sexual Partner Introduction F emale sexual function is multifaceted and complex, and depends on biological, psycho- logical, and sociocultural contexts, as well as pos- sible interactions between them [1]. Recent studies have shown the negative effects of aging and of the deterioration in physical and mental health on female sexual function, as well as the importance of the presence of a sexual partner as a protective factor. Furthermore, the clinical relevance of sexual problems may be amplified by the intensity of the entire gamut of menopausal symptomatology [2]. In middle-aged women in Latin America, the prevalence of sexual dysfunc- tion has been reported to range from 21% to 98.5% depending on the region investigated. However, it is important to bear in mind that these 2851 © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine J Sex Med 2011;8:2851–2858 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/8/10/2851/6980170 by guest on 25 January 2023