Background: Normal sexual function is a crucial element of a female sexual and mental
health. Disruptions in this function for any reason can lead to emotional and
interpersonal communication problems, which may impact other aspects of a woman's
life. Many women who suffer from different types of vaginal infections also experience
sexual dysfunction. Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the association
between aerobic vaginitis (AV) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Methodology: A
cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 150 females with vaginal
infections. A microbiological examination of vaginal samples was done to identify the
causative microorganisms using stains, microbiological culture, and biochemical
reactions. Female sexual function was measured by the use of the Arabic version of the
Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI) questionnaire. Results: The most prevalent
isolate was Candida (55.3%). Aerobic bacteria were detected in 48.6% either mixed with
Candida or as a single infection (Staph aureus 14.7%, E.coli 10.7%, Klebsiella 8.7%,
Strept agalactiae 7.3%, and Neisseria gonorrheae (N gonorrheae 7.3%). Trichomonas
vaginalis (T vaginalis) was only just detected among 2.6 % of the participants. 72.7% of
studied females had sexual dysfunction (FSFI score ≤ 26.5). The mean full-scale score
was 24.12±3.79. The presence of pain was significantly associated with lower FSFI
scores in all other domains. Conclusion: Vaginal infection with various aerobic
microorganisms negatively impacted females’ sexual function. Thus, patients with
vaginal infections should be assessed prudently for sexual dysfunction to enhance their
quality of life. |
