JAMA. 1999 Feb 10;281(6):537-44.
Sexual dysfunction in the United States:
prevalence and predictors.
Laumann EO, Paik A, Rosen RC.
Department of Sociology, University of
Chicago, Ill 60637, USA. ob01@midway.uchicago.edu
CONTEXT: While recent pharmacological
advances have generated increased public
interest and demand for clinical services
regarding erectile dysfunction,
epidemiologic data on sexual dysfunction are
relatively scant for both women and men.
Objectives:
To assess the prevalence and risk
of experiencing sexual dysfunction across
various social groups and examine the
determinants and health consequences of
these disorders.
Design:
Analysis of data
from the National Health and Social Life
Survey, a probability sample study of sexual
behavior in a demographically
representative, 1992 cohort of US adults.
PARTICIPANTS: A national probability sample
of 1749 women and 1410 men aged 18 to 59
years at the time of the survey. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk of experiencing
sexual dysfunction as well as negative
concomitant outcomes.
Results:
Sexual
dysfunction is more prevalent for women
(43%) than men (31%) and is associated with
various demographic characteristics,
including age and educational attainment.
Women of different racial groups demonstrate
different patterns of sexual dysfunction.
Differences among men are not as marked but
generally consistent with women. Experience
of sexual dysfunction is more likely among
women and men with poor physical and
emotional health. Moreover, sexual
dysfunction is highly associated with
negative experiences in sexual relationships
and overall well-being.
Conclusions:
The
results indicate that sexual dysfunction is
an important public health concern, and
emotional problems likely contribute to the
experience of these problems.