Prevalence of and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in middle-aged Vietnamese women: A cross-sectional hospital-based study

Objectives: Female sexual dysfunction encompasses a variety of sexual issues that can impact a woman’s sexual health and overall quality of life. This study assesses the prevalence and associated factors among Vietnamese women aged 40-50 at the Women’s Health Center, Vinmec International General Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Study design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 204 women aged 40-50 years who visited the Women’s Health Center, Vinmec International General Hospital, between October 2023 and June 2024. This study adheres to the STROBE guideline.

Main outcome measures: Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire covering medical and sexual histories, which included the validated Vietnamese versions of the Female Sexual Function Index and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21.

Results: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 45.1 %. The prevalence of stress was 31.4 %, anxiety 43.1 %, and depression 26.0 %. Six factors were associated with female sexual dysfunction: lower levels of education, skilled occupation, late bedtime, no or infrequent physical activity, low monthly average income, and no or infrequent communication of sexual desires to a partner.

Conclusion: The study suggests a high prevalence of female sexual dysfunction among Vietnamese women and identifies its associated risk factors. These results can serve as a practical reference for future screening and prevention efforts to address female sexual dysfunction in Vietnam.