Abstract

To investigate the relationship between stress, anxiety and depression with sexual function and its domains in women of reproductive age

Sexual function is really complicated and different factors including psychological matters can affect the performance of women. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Stress, anxiety and depression with sexual function and its domains. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014-2015 with a sample size of 514 women of reproductive age, who were referred to Health Care Centers in Shiraz. The random sampling method was based on the goals and research instruments included Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women and scale of stress, anxiety and depression of Lewinda. T-Test, Fisher's exact test, Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. The mean age of all the samples was 30.9 ±5.8 years. 72.2% of the women suffered from sexual dysfunction. The mean scores of stress, anxiety and depression in the sexual dysfunction group were 6.43 ±4.68, 6.19 ± 4.5, and 4.07 ± 4.03 and in the group with no sexual dysfunction they were 8.54±4.81,4.18 ±3.82, and 6.85±4.98, respectively. The mean difference was statistically significant. A significant relationship was shown between anxiety and all aspects of sexual function, stress and all aspects of sexual function except for sexual desire and pain, depression and all areas except sexual pain (p≤0.05 ). Sexual function and most of its aspects are related to individual's anxiety, stress and depression. Therefore, it is recommended that the psychological aspects should also be considered in sexual counseling sessions.

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