Report of the International Consensus Development Conference on Female Sexual Dysfunction: Definitions and Classifications.

The article presents report of the International Consensus Development Conference on Female Sexual Dysfunction. Female sexual dysfunction is a multicausal and multidimensional problem combining biological, psychological and interpersonal determinants. It is age related, progressive and highly prevalent, affecting 20% to 50% of women. Based on epidemiological data from the National Health and Social Life Survey a third of women lack sexual interest and nearly a fourth do not experience orgasm. Approximately 20% of women report lubrication difficulties and 20% find sex not pleasurable. Female sexual dysfunction has a major impact on quality of life and interpersonal relationships. For many women it has been physically disconcerting, emotionally distressing and socially disruptive. In contrast to the widespread interest in research and treatment of male sexual dysfunction, less attention has been paid to the sexual problems of women. Few studies have investigated the psychological and physiological underpinnings of female sexual dysfunction and fewer treatments are available for women than for men.