Sexual problems, marital intimacy and quality of sex life among married women: A study from an Islamic country

Abstract

Introduction: Female sexual problems as a multifactorial phenomenon is influenced by numerous psychological, interpersonal, physiological and cultural determinants especially among Muslim women, where complaining about sexual issue is not easy. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexual problems and assess its contributing factors. Methods: In 2016, applying a cross-sectional study, cluster, random sampling was employed to recruit 475 married women in the range of 20-35 years of age referred to the urban health centers in Tabriz, Iran. The self-administered Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Quality of Life-Female and Marital Intimacy were completed by the respondents. Results: Considering the cut-off point of sexual dysfunction index, about 73.7% of the respondents were suffering from sexual problems. In addition, sexual problems, quality of sex life and marital intimacy differed mostly by sex-related behaviors and the characteristics of female sexual dysfunction were related to the quality of sex life and marital intimacy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: High prevalence of sexual problems among Iranian women is an alarming issue that threatens their quality of sex life, marital intimacy and consequently, mental health. Our findings will help family health policy-makers to plan and implement sexual health promotion programs aiming at improving sexual life among couples. © 2017 College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists