The assessment of sexual dysfunction in Egyptian women with lower urinary tract symptoms

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has been reported in 46% of women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). FSD is a common health problem that remains under-investigated, especially in Eastern communities, where discussion of the issue is considered a taboo. In this study we determined the prevalence of various subtypes of FSD in relation to LUTS in women in Ismailia, Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a case-control study to assess FSD in women with LUTS in comparison to normal women. In all, 101 women patients attending the Urology clinic at our institution were divided into two groups, a study group of 52 with LUTS and a control group of 49 with no LUTS. Validated Arabic versions of the FSD index and the Bristol questionnaire were used to assess the participants, and the data analysed statistically. RESULTS: FSD was diagnosed in 75 of the 101 patients (74%); 87 (86%) reported hypoactive sexual desire, 61 (60%) reported sexual arousal disorder, 56 (55%) had lubrication disorders, 65 (64%) complained of orgasmic deficiency, 36 (36%) had satisfaction disorder, and 59 (58%) had sexual pain disorder (e.g., dyspareunia or non-coital genital pain). Arousal, satisfaction, orgasmic and lubrication disorders were more common in the women with LUTS. There was no statistically significant difference in desire disorders between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: FSD and its subtypes are more prevalent in women with LUTS in this sample of Egyptian women.