(041) PREVALENCE OF FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION (FSD) IN THE FIRST FEMALE SEXUALITY CLINIC IN CHINA BY USING THE DR. EROS FSD SCALE

Abstract Introduction Female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs) represent a common issue among the general population. However, in many cultures and societies, such as China, FSD still needs to be addressed in the urological setting, so far more focused on Andrology. However, FSDs can be easily investigated in clinical practice, and for research purposes using validated psychometric tools, including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the most commonly used diagnostic instrument, also validated in Mandarin. While the scientific interest in this field is growing, several issues remain unaddressed by the FSFI, such as orgasmic intensity or satisfaction associated with the frequency of sex. The Dr. Eros FSD scale aims to fill this gap. Objective We aimed to explore FSDs in the general population in order to address the unmet expectations and needs of Chinese women in China. Methods In our Clinic, the first established in China aiming to treat FSDs, we developed a modified version of the FSFI, which also focuses on sex frequency, sexual urges, satisfaction related to orgasm and sexual activity, and vaginal discomfort during sexual activity. These 5 questions were added to the 19 items of the FSFI, for 24 questions. The two questions on sex frequency and sexual urges were added to the desire domain of the FSFI, whereas the following three were included in the Orgasm, Satisfaction, and Pain domains, respectively. Results The Dr. Eros FSD scale was administered to 14 896 women (age: 36.2 ± 8.1 years, range 18-18) admitted to the outpatient service of our Clinic, from March 2020 to May 2024. Mean ± SD for the 6 domains were as follows: Desire, 12.9 ± 3.2; Arousal, 12.8 ± 5.4; Lubrication, 15.6 ± 5.9; Orgasm, 13.2 ± 5.7; Satisfaction, 13.8 ± 4.4; Pain, 14.0 ± 5.06. Since a lower score is suggestive of increased severity of SDs, the most severe female sexual complaints in China are seemingly hypoactive sexual desire disorder and poor overall satisfaction, in an age-dependent manner. Regression analysis showed a significant effect of aging on all six domains (p < 0.001 for all, fig. 1) when stratifying the population by age (age < 45, N = 12 666; age 45-55, N = 1924, age ≥ 55, N = 306). Conclusions The new Clinic, dealing with all FSDs, from HSSD to hypolubrication, from anorgasmia to vaginismus, from dyspareunia to couple’s problems, is the unique institution systematically addressing female sexual health in China. Our experimental data demonstrate that this is a major unmet need in this part of the world. The prevalence and severity of SDs among Chinese women are clinically relevant issues for healthcare, which should urgently be addressed with the instruments of modern Sexual Medicine, possibly involving both Western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in a holistic perspective. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Mia Clinic.