Frequency of female sexual dysfunction in depression.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction among married women with untreated Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Study Design: Analytical Cross sectional study. Period: June 2025 to December 2025. Setting: Outpatient department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad Medical University. Methods: Total 193 married women aged 18–45 years, diagnosed with MDD per DSM-5 criteria and not on antidepressants, were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Sexual function was assessed using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), with a total score ≤26 indicating dysfunction. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0; chi-square tests were applied to examine associations, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 31.4 ± 6.2 years. Sexual dysfunction was present in 137 women (71.0%), with the lowest FSFI domain scores in desire (2.8 ± 1.1) and arousal (3.1 ± 1.3). Significant associations were found between sexual dysfunction and older age (p = 0.021), longer marriage duration (p = 0.008), higher parity (p = 0.014), and cesarean delivery (p = 0.032). Employment status showed no significant association (p = 0.217). Conclusion: Female sexual dysfunction was frequent in women with untreated depression, particularly affecting desire and arousal, and is significantly influenced by reproductive and demographic factors.