Painful sex (dyspareunia) in women: prevalence and associated factors in a British population probability survey.



Mitchell, KR ORCID: 0000-0002-4409-6601, Geary, R ORCID: 0000-0003-1417-1057, Graham, CA ORCID: 0000-0002-7884-599X, Datta, J, Wellings, K, Sonnenberg, P ORCID: 0000-0002-1067-1583, Field, N ORCID: 0000-0002-2825-6652, Nunns, D, Bancroft, J, Jones, KG
et al (show 2 more authors) (2017) Painful sex (dyspareunia) in women: prevalence and associated factors in a British population probability survey. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 124 (11). pp. 1689-1697.

[img] Text
Painful sex (dyspareunia) in women prevalence and associated factors in a British population probability survey.pdf - Published version

Download (182kB) | Preview
[img] Text
Painful sex (dyspareunia) in women prevalence and associated factors in a British population probability survey.pdf - Published version

Download (182kB) | Preview

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>To estimate the prevalence of painful sex among women in Britain, and to explore associated sexual, relationship and health factors that should be considered in assessment.<h4>Design</h4>Multi-stage, clustered and stratified population probability sample survey, using computer-assisted self-interview. Sample frame was the British Postcode Address File.<h4>Setting</h4>Participants interviewed at home between 2010 and 2012.<h4>Sample</h4>A total of 15 162 adults aged 16-74 years (8869 women). Data reported from 6669 sexually active women.<h4>Methods</h4>Age-adjusted logistic regressions to examine associations between painful sex and indicators of sexual, relational, mental and physical health.<h4>Main outcome measure</h4>Physical pain as a result of sex for ≥3 months in the past year, plus measures of symptom severity.<h4>Results</h4>Painful sex was reported by 7.5% (95% CI 6.7-8.3) of sexually active women, of whom one-quarter experienced symptoms very often or always, for ≥6 months, and causing distress. Reporting painful sex was strongly associated with other sexual function problems, notably vaginal dryness (age adjusted odds ratio 7.9; 6.17-10.12), anxiety about sex (6.34; 4.76-8.46) and lacking enjoyment in sex (6.12; 4.81-7.79). It was associated with sexual relationship factors [such as not sharing same level of interest in sex (2.56; 1.97-3.33)], as well as with adverse experiences such as non-volitional sex (2.17; 1.68-2.80). Associations were also found with measures of psychological and physical health, including depressive symptoms (1.68; 1.28-2.21).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Painful sex is reported by a sizeable minority of women in Britain. Health professionals should be supported to undertake holistic assessment and treatment which takes account of the sexual, relationship and health context of symptoms.<h4>Tweetable abstract</h4>Painful sex-reported by 7.5% of women in Britain-is linked to poorer sexual, physical, relational and mental health.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Dyspareunia, Vaginal Diseases, Health Surveys, Prevalence, Logistic Models, Odds Ratio, Anxiety, Libido, Quality of Life, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, Women's Health, Female, Young Adult, United Kingdom, Sexual Health
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 01 Jul 2020 08:59
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 23:47
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.14518
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3092286