INTRODUCTION

In Korea, although male sexual problems have been relatively well addressed, few surveys have been conducted on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in the general population. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and identified the risk factors of sexual dysfunction in young Korean women.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of FSD in young Korean women.

METHODS

A total of 47,000 women were initially approached. All received an e-mail requesting that they participate in a Web-based survey. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire requesting detailed medical and sexual histories, which included the questions contained in the Korean version of the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The prevalence of FSD in young Korean women in the different age groups and risk factors for developing FSD.

RESULTS

A total of 504 women of average age 28.5 years (18-52 years) were evaluated during this survey. Setting the cutoff score for FSD using a receiver operating characteristic curve of our data as 25.0 points, 43.1% of women under 40 years old reported FSD. FSD was detected as a desire problem in 44.0% of women, an arousal problem in 49.0%, a lubrication problem in 37.0%, an orgasm problem in 32.0%, a satisfaction problem in 37.0%, and a pain problem in 34.6%. Risk factors for FSD as determined by logistic regression analysis were increasing age, a low frequency of sex, depression, a sexually abused history, and voiding dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of FSD in Korean young women was common and comparable to those reported worldwide.