Problems with sexual function appear to be common among the British population with approximately 40 to 54% of women and 22 to 34% of men have reported having at least 1 short duration sexual problem, according to data from 2 separate studies.
Professor Irwin Nazareth of the Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, and colleagues determined the prevalence of sexual dysfunction according to the international classification of diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) in 1065 women and 447 men treated 13 general practices in London.

Overall, sexual dysfunction was diagnosed in 21.7% of men and 39.6% of women.

Among the men, the most common diagnoses were erectile dysfunction in 8.8% and lack or loss of sexual desire in 6.7%. Other diagnoses among men were sexual aversion in 2.5%, male orgasmic dysfunction in 2.5%, premature ejaculation in 3.7%, and non-organic dyspareunia in 1.1%. The only independent predictor of sexual difficulties among men was being bisexual.

Among women, the most common diagnoses were inhibited female orgasm in 18.9% and lack or loss of sexual desire in 16.8%. Additional diagnoses among women included sexual aversion in 4.2%, female sexual arousal dysfunction in 3.6%, non-organic vaginismus in 4.6%, and non-organic dyspareunia in 2.9%. Independent predictors of sexual difficulties among women were increasing age, poorer physical health, increasing psychological distress and sexual dissatisfaction among women.

Professor Nazareth and colleagues found that 30% of women and 21% of men report ever seeking sexual advise from their doctor however only 3% of women and 4% of men had an entry in their family practice records that related to functional sexual difficulties during the previous 2 years.

Results from the national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal 2000) are reported by research fellow Catherine H. Mercer of Royal Free and University College Medical School, London and colleagues. Natsal 2000, which surveyed 11,161 men and women aged 16 to 44 years residing in Britain, reveals that 34.8% of men and 53.8% of women who reported at least 1 heterosexual partner during the previous year also reported having at least 1 sexual problem lasting at least 1 month in duration.

The most commonly reported problems by men were a lack of interest in sex, premature orgasm, and performance anxieties while women most commonly reported an inability to experience orgasm and painful intercourse.

The Natsal findings show that only 10.5% of men and 21% of women sought help for sexual problems encountered during the previous year, but among these individuals 63.8% of men and 74.3% of women consulted their general practitioner.

Individuals who seek help often consult their general practitioner, “but given the limited time and resources in this setting, such problems may be accorded low priority,” Dr. Mercer and colleagues note.

The authors of both studies indicate a need for improved training and professional development among general practitioners on how to manage problems of sexual function in their patients.

Related Study: Sexual function problems and help seeking behaviour in Britain: national probability sample survey (BMJ 2003;327:7412:426-7).
BMJ 2003;327:423-6.

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SOURCE: American Journal of Public Health