Women's Sexual Health Survey: 91% Of Healthcare Providers Are Not Regularly Asking Patients About Sexual Health Difficulties

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 21 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Findings from an international survey conducted by The Women's Sexual Health Foundation found that less than 9% of women ages 21 to over 80 are always asked by their healthcare provider if they are having sexual health difficulties.

These findings have profound implications for women's health, as a significant portion of the female population will have some sort of sexually-related health difficulty or dysfunction in their lifetime. The survey underscores the critical need for women and health care professionals alike to communicate about this issue.

Key Points: Female Sexual Dusfunction (FSD)

-- Up to 90% of female cancer patients will have sexual health difficulties
-- Up to 43% of women in general will experience sexual problems
-- FSD is highly prevalent among women with stress urinary incontinence
-- 55% of post-menopausal sexually active women will have FSD
-- FSD is about twice as prevalent in women with high blood pressure as among women without high blood pressure

This 18-point survey gathered data from 391 respondents to determine women's perceptions in relationship to discussing sexual health difficulties with their healthcare provider, and their beliefs concerning a provider's education and expertise in treating and assessing sexual health difficulties.

Women surveyed indicated that 71.68% would be comfortable if their healthcare provider initiated a conversation about any sexual health problem(s), and 72.70% preferred that their healthcare provider initiated this discussion, but this rarely occurs. Of the healthcare specialties, 83% of women believed that their ob/gyn would be the most knowledgeable concerning these issues. However 30% of women stated that they did not believe that their provider had the expertise to address their sexual health difficulties.

Women's Sexual Health Survey: 91% of healthcare providers are not regularly asking patients about sexual health difficulties According to Lisa Martinez, Executive Director for the Foundation, "Whether a woman has had gynecologic or breast cancer, pelvic trauma from an accident, diabetes, or is on chemotherapy or other medications that may impact her sexual wellness or is having any problem with her sexual health, the results of this survey show all too clearly that women will have to advocate for their own care and initiate the conversation with their doctor or nurse practitioner concerning problems with intimacy. There is a critical need for frank discussions."

To help women to become their own best advocate, the survey findings and other key issues will be discussed during The Women's Sexual Health Foundation 3rd annual women's sexual health symposium, Reclaiming Healthy Intimacy, Passion and Pleasure in conjunction with The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, on October 5 in New York City. The event is open to women and healthcare providers may attend.

To register please visit: The Women's Sexual Health Foundation at http://www.twshf.org/pdf/reclaimingConferenceFlyer.pdf. Or online at http://www.columbiasurgery.org/events/event_20071005.html

The 2007 symposium is supported by generous educational grants from Procter & Gamble, Zestra Laboratories, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., King Pharmaceuticals, and Johnson & Johnson Group of Consumer Companies.

About The Women's Sexual Health Foundation

TWSHF is an international non-profit organization whose primary mission is to educate the public and healthcare professionals on women's sexual health. The Foundation has numerous resources for the public and healthcare professionals at http://www.twshf.org, including educational brochures in English, German and Spanish and The Women's Sexual Health Journal for members.