Publish at: International Journal of Sexual Health, Volume 34, Issue 2corresponding author:
Email: [email protected]
Full postal address:
Maria Manuela Peixoto, Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada do Porto, Rua de Moçambique, 21 e 71, Aldoar, 4100 - 348, Porto, Portugalcorresponding author:
Email: [email protected]
Full postal address:
Maria Manuela Peixoto, Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada do Porto, Rua de Moçambique, 21 e 71, Aldoar, 4100 - 348, Porto, PortugalObjectives: Female sexual functioning and satisfaction are affected by the presence of
sexual difficulties. The current study examines differences in sexual satisfaction according
to three groups of women: (i) clinical sexual difficulties assessed by the Female Sexual
Functioning Index (FSFI) cut-off; (ii) self-perceived sexual difficulties at a non-clinical
level; and (iii) sexually healthy. Methods: A convenience sample of 329 Portuguese
women, with a mean age of 28.69 (SD = 8.78), answered a specific question on the
presence of self-perceived sexual difficulties, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women and
the FSFI. From the 329 women, 56 were assigned to the group with clinical sexual
difficulties, 60 were assigned to the group with self-perceived sexual difficulties at nonclinical level, and 213 constituted the sexually healthy group. Results: Sexually healthy
women were more sexually satisfied compared with women who self-perceived sexual
difficulties and women who had clinical sexual difficulties according to the FSFI. In
addition, women who self-perceived sexual difficulties were also more sexually satisfied
compared to women with clinical sexual difficulties according to the FSFI. Conclusions:
Women's sexual satisfaction was negatively affected by sexual difficulties assessed by the
FSFI cut-off. Although with less impact, self-perceived sexual difficulties also negatively
affect women's sexual satisfaction
