Female Sexual Dysfunction in Housewives, Teachers, and Nurses of Productive Age in Indonesia

Background: Demographic factors (i.e. employment) can be risk factors for female sexual dysfunction, while impaired sexual function can affect self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, so that sexual function may be influenced by the type of work a woman does. Objective: This study was intended to assess the comparison of sexual dysfunction in married women of reproductive age who have different careers. Materials and Methods: There were 214 respondents who met the inclusion criteria, 75 unemployed housewives, 68 teachers, and 71 nurses. Respondents' sexual function was measured using the FSFI questionnaire developed by Rosen et al., in 2000, which consisted of 19 questions covering six domains of sexual function, namely desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Results: The mean total FSFI scores of housewives, teachers, and nurses were 25.88, 25.15, and 25.14, respectively. All housewives (100%), 66.2% of teachers, and 81.7% of nurses experienced desire disorders. Arousal disorders were experienced by 81.3% of housewives, 83.1% of teachers, and 66.2% of nurses. Housewives, teachers, and nurses with vaginal lubrication disorders were 61.3%, 86.2%, and 66.2%, respectively. There were 40% of teachers, 53.8% of teachers, and 54.9% of nurses who failed to achieve orgasm. The levels of satisfaction felt by housewives, teachers, and nurses in sexual intercourse were 88.0%, 44.7%, and 57.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, vaginal pain was felt by 48% of housewives, 53.8% of teachers, and 66.2% of nurses. Conclusion: Differences in careers of married women of reproductive age do not significantly differentiate the sexual dysfunction they suffer from.