How common are sexual problems in women?

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How common are sexual problems in women?

A sexual problem is a decrease in or lack of sexual satisfaction. By definition, a sexual problem is distressing to a woman and/or her relationship with a partner. (What is distressing to one woman may not be a concern for another woman.)

Most women are troubled by a sexual problem at one time or another. For some women, it can be a long-term problem. Surveys of the general population in the United States found that many women occasionally have sexual problems and worries, including:¹

Concerns about sexuality (6 out of 10 women).
Lack of interest in sex (3 out of 10 women).
Sex not always being pleasurable (2 out of 10 women).
Pain with intercourse (1 to 2 out of 10 women).
Difficulty becoming aroused (5 out of 10 women).
Difficulty reaching orgasm (5 out of 10 women).
Not being able to have an orgasm (2 to 3 out of 10 women).

References

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Citations
Baram DA (2007). Sexuality, sexual dysfunction, and sexual assault. In JS Berek, ed., Novak's Gynecology, 14th ed., pp. 313–349. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

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Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	March 11, 2008

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Last updated:	March 11, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Michele Cronen

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