Sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunction in midlife Singaporean women: A prospective cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

Objectives: To examine factors relating to both sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunction in midlife Singaporean women. Study design: Sociodemographic, medical/lifestyle factors, physical activity, BMI, handgrip strength (HGS) and physical performance data collected from healthy Chinese, Indian, and Malay women, aged 45–69 years, attending gynaecology clinics. Main outcome measures: Sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunction (defined as total score ≤ 26.55) assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: 1048 women completed the FSFI. Mean (±SD) age was 56.2 (±6.2). Sexual inactivity was reported by 43.2% and was positively associated with older age [55-64 years (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0) and ≥65 years (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.1)], younger menarche (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.5), lowest education (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6), lowest income (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.8), unmarried (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 2.6-6.4), nulliparity (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4), and BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.6). Among the sexually active, sexual dysfunction was identified in 70.3%. Sexual dysfunction was positively associated with menopause ≥10 years (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.0), nulliparity (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-9.8), moderate/severe vaginal dryness (aOR 13.8, 95% CI 4.8-38.7) and HGS <18 kg (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2) and negatively associated with use of menopausal hormone therapy (aOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.6). Conclusion: This, the largest Singaporean sexual function study, is the first to include physical performance in a healthy population. Most were sexually active but reported dysfunction. Novel associations included underweight BMI with sexual inactivity and weaker HGS and Malay ethnicity with greater and less sexual dysfunction, respectively.