What is the "true" prevalence of female sexual dysfunctions and does the way we assess these conditions have an impact?

Abstract

Introduction. A wide range of prevalence estimates of female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) have been reported. Aim. Compare instruments used to assess FSD to determine if differences between instruments contribute to variation in reported prevalence. Main Outcome Measures. Sexual Function Questionnaire combined with Female Sexual Distress Scale (SFQ-FSDS) was our gold standard, validated instrument for assessing FSD. Alternatives were SFQ alone and two sets of simple questions adapted from Laumann et al. 1994. Methods. A postal survey was administered to a random sample of 356 Australian women aged 20 to 70 years. Results. When assessed by SFQ-FSDS, prevalence estimates (95% confidence intervals..