Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia
BackgroundFemale sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent yet understudied health concern among married women in Saudi Arabia, where obesity rates among women are alarmingly high. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of FSD and its association with BMI among married women attending primary...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Global Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1616496/full |
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| author | Lujain Safwan Filfilan Nesrin Kamal Abd El-Fatah |
| author_facet | Lujain Safwan Filfilan Nesrin Kamal Abd El-Fatah |
| author_sort | Lujain Safwan Filfilan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundFemale sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent yet understudied health concern among married women in Saudi Arabia, where obesity rates among women are alarmingly high. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of FSD and its association with BMI among married women attending primary health care centers (PHCs) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 married women aged 18–50 years attending PHCs in Makkah. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographics, medical history, reproductive health, and sexual function using the validated Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI). Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Kruskal–Wallis analyses were used to examine associations between BMI, FSD, and significant contributors.ResultsThe prevalence of FSD was 84.6%. Obesity was significantly associated with FSD (OR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.38–5.30, p = .005), particularly affecting lubrication (p = .002) and orgasm (p = .014). Key correlates of FSD included partner-related factors, such as the husband's sexual dysfunction (40.9% vs. 5.9%, p < .001), and weight-related comments (33.8% vs. 15.7%, p = .010). Psychological distress, particularly higher levels of anxiety (32.0% vs. 11.8%, p = .003) and depression (44.5% vs. 7.8%, p < .001), was also significantly associated with FSD. Reproductive factors, such as irregular menstruation (p = .001), and reproductive surgeries (p = .003) were significantly associated with FSD.ConclusionThis study highlights a high burden of FSD among Saudi women with obesity, strongly associated with obesity, mediated by psychological and partner-related factors, as well as reproductive factors. Integrated interventions addressing weight management, mental health, and couples' counseling are urgently needed. Cultural sensitivity in sexual health education and clinical practice is essential to reduce stigma and improve care access. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7735853fd5dc4a9dafb2be9567ae23e0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-5059 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Global Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-7735853fd5dc4a9dafb2be9567ae23e02025-08-20T03:56:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Global Women's Health2673-50592025-07-01610.3389/fgwh.2025.16164961616496Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi ArabiaLujain Safwan Filfilan0Nesrin Kamal Abd El-Fatah1Postgraduate Program for Preventive Medicine, Public Health Administration, Taif Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Taif, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptBackgroundFemale sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent yet understudied health concern among married women in Saudi Arabia, where obesity rates among women are alarmingly high. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of FSD and its association with BMI among married women attending primary health care centers (PHCs) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 married women aged 18–50 years attending PHCs in Makkah. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographics, medical history, reproductive health, and sexual function using the validated Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI). Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Kruskal–Wallis analyses were used to examine associations between BMI, FSD, and significant contributors.ResultsThe prevalence of FSD was 84.6%. Obesity was significantly associated with FSD (OR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.38–5.30, p = .005), particularly affecting lubrication (p = .002) and orgasm (p = .014). Key correlates of FSD included partner-related factors, such as the husband's sexual dysfunction (40.9% vs. 5.9%, p < .001), and weight-related comments (33.8% vs. 15.7%, p = .010). Psychological distress, particularly higher levels of anxiety (32.0% vs. 11.8%, p = .003) and depression (44.5% vs. 7.8%, p < .001), was also significantly associated with FSD. Reproductive factors, such as irregular menstruation (p = .001), and reproductive surgeries (p = .003) were significantly associated with FSD.ConclusionThis study highlights a high burden of FSD among Saudi women with obesity, strongly associated with obesity, mediated by psychological and partner-related factors, as well as reproductive factors. Integrated interventions addressing weight management, mental health, and couples' counseling are urgently needed. Cultural sensitivity in sexual health education and clinical practice is essential to reduce stigma and improve care access.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1616496/fullfemale sexual dysfunctionObesityBMISaudi Arabiamarital satisfactionreproductive health |
| spellingShingle | Lujain Safwan Filfilan Nesrin Kamal Abd El-Fatah Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia Frontiers in Global Women's Health female sexual dysfunction Obesity BMI Saudi Arabia marital satisfaction reproductive health |
| title | Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia |
| title_full | Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia |
| title_fullStr | Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia |
| title_short | Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia |
| title_sort | association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in makkah city saudi arabia |
| topic | female sexual dysfunction Obesity BMI Saudi Arabia marital satisfaction reproductive health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1616496/full |
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