TITLE:
Assessment the Female Sexual Function among Libyan Women at Tripoli, Libya, 2024
AUTHORS:
Khuloud Ajaj, Laila Benhamida, Najwa Eljabu, Soad Otman, Sally Taeb, Hanane Bousahra, Sara Elbebas, Kholod Mousa, Sanabel Rgeai, Marwa Jamal, Manal Algadiry
KEYWORDS:
Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI, Classification of Female Sexual Dysfunction Severity, Libya
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Sexual Medicine,
Vol.15 No.1,
February
5,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: The sexual function is an essential aspect of life for women irrespective of age because it is closely correlated with overall wellbeing and relationship satisfaction. Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a common public health issue that is defined as one or more problems of female sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and/or sexual pain/discomfort that leads to significant distress. Aim: This study aimed to assess the female sexual function among Libyan women. Methods and materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Tripoli University Hospital over six months duration between January and June 2024. It included 314 female participants who attended the hospital during that period. The data underwent analysis and prescription via a computerized program of SPSS version 24. Results: The most frequent age range was between 26 to 35 years accounting for 54.8% (172). The mean duration of marriage was 7.42 years ± 7.228 SD. The majority of participants were multipara accounting for 79.9% (251). Based on the classification of female sexual dysfunction severity, 41.7% (131) of participants had mild to moderate severity followed by 32.2% (101) had mild severity with an overall female sexual dysfunction rate of 81.2% (255). Based on female sexual function characteristics, 28.3% (89) had abnormal desire, 22% (69) had abnormal arousal, 55.4% (174) had abnormal lubrication, 24.5% (77) had undetected orgasm, 23.2% (73) had inappropriate satisfaction and 19.1% (60) had pain. Conclusion: The overall rate of female sexual dysfunction among Libyan women was (81.2%) which is considered high but with low severity, (41.7%) had mild to moderate dysfunction followed by (32.2%) with mild dysfunction. These findings had significant effects on sexual life and marital status which require a basic strategy approach to increase sexual awareness and marital counseling among couples and to avoid adverse sexual dysfunction consequences such as divorce, marital problems, insufficient sexual satisfaction, and psychosocial concern.