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Female Sexual Function, Dysfunction, and Pregnancy: Implications for Practice
Author(s) -
Murtagh Jessica
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2009.12.006
Subject(s) - sexual function , reproductive health , sexual dysfunction , psychosocial , health care , female sexual dysfunction , psychology , function (biology) , clinical psychology , pregnancy , medicine , human sexuality , developmental psychology , psychiatry , population , gender studies , sociology , genetics , environmental health , evolutionary biology , psychoanalysis , economics , biology , economic growth
Women's sexual function is a complex and dynamic interplay of variables that involve physical, emotional, and psychosocial states. Sexual dysfunction may occur at any level, and diagnosing such issues begins with careful assessment through a sexual health history. However, discussions about female sexual health and function are often deficient in the primary care setting. This article reviews the published research on female sexual function, sexual dysfunction, and sexual function in pregnancy to gain a better understanding of how these aspects of a woman's life impact the health care services she receives. The evaluation of female sexual function is in need of consistent measurement tools and more dialogue during health care visits. Women's health care practitioners have an opportunity to advance patient satisfaction and overall health by evaluating and communicating with female patients about their sexual function.