ArticleBJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology2017
Painful sex (dyspareunia) in women: prevalence and associated factors in a British population probability survey.
Article in BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 3 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 36 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effects of Myofascial Release With and Without Thiele Massage on Dyspareunia and Pelvic Floor Function in Nulliparous Females
Physiotherapy Treatment With Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrecuency in Young Women With Dyspareunia
The Use of Cannabidiol Suppositories for Sexual Pain: A Randomised Controlled Study
Who cites it
36 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Epidemiology and aetiology of male and female sexual dysfunctions related to pelvic ring injuries: a systematic review.International orthopaedics · 2021Pooled it
- Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder Presenting as an Unconsummated Marriage Managed in Japanese Primary Care.Journal of general and family medicine · 2026Article
- Cases - Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: Review on the urologic implications.Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada · 2026Article
- Awareness of Evidence-Based Treatments Among Women with Dyspareunia: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Exploring the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pathways of Women with Dyspareunia: A Mixed-Methods Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Evaluation of the efficacy of Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency at 448 kHz in the physiotherapeutic treatment of female dyspareunia.Contemporary clinical trials communications · 2025Article
- Impact of deep or ovarian endometriosis on pelvic pain and quality of life: prospective cross-sectional ultrasound study.Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2025Article
- Analysis of the psychometric evidence of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) & measurement invariance across relationship status & age generations in a Chilean sample.Sexual medicine · 2025Article
- Experiences of Indigenous peoples living with pelvic health conditions: A scoping review.PloS one · 2025Article
- Risk factors and nomogram construction for predicting women with chronic pelvic pain:a cross-sectional population study.Heliyon · 2024Article
- Prevalence of chronic pelvic pain and associated factors among indigenous women of reproductive age in Ecuador.BMC women's health · 2024Article
- Patient-Centered Approaches for Designing Destigmatizing Sexual Pain-Related Web-Based Platforms: Qualitative Study.JMIR formative research · 2024Article
- Dyspareunia and pelvic pain: comparison of mid-urethral sling methods 10 years after insertion.International urogynecology journal · 2024Article
- Scoping review of the association between bacterial vaginosis and emotional, sexual and social health.BMC women's health · 2023Article
- Comparison of pain catastrophizing and anxiety in patients with dyspareunia and healthy women: a cross-sectional study.Journal of medicine and life · 2023Article
- Female Sexual Dysfunction in Association with Sexual History, Sexual Abuse and Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hungary.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Article
- Hypoxia as a potential cause of dyspareunia.PloS one · 2023Article
- PREDICTORS OF SEXUAL SATISFACTION: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDY.Acta clinica Croatica · 2022Article
- Sexual Inactivity and Dysfunction in Denmark: A Project SEXUS Study.Archives of sexual behavior · 2022Article
- Erectile and sexual dysfunction in male and female patients with celiac disease: A cross-sectional observational study.Andrology · 2022Observational
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo estimate the prevalence of painful sex among women in Britain, and to explore associated sexual, relationship and health factors that should be considered in assessment.
designMulti-stage, clustered and stratified population probability sample survey, using computer-assisted self-interview. Sample frame was the British Postcode Address File.
settingParticipants interviewed at home between 2010 and 2012. SAMPLE: A total of 15 162 adults aged 16-74 years (8869 women). Data reported from 6669 sexually active women.
methodsAge-adjusted logistic regressions to examine associations between painful sex and indicators of sexual, relational, mental and physical health.
main outcome measurePhysical pain as a result of sex for ≥3 months in the past year, plus measures of symptom severity.
resultsPainful sex was reported by 7.5% (95% CI 6.7-8.3) of sexually active women, of whom one-quarter experienced symptoms very often or always, for ≥6 months, and causing distress. Reporting painful sex was strongly associated with other sexual function problems, notably vaginal dryness (age adjusted odds ratio 7.9; 6.17-10.12), anxiety about sex (6.34; 4.76-8.46) and lacking enjoyment in sex (6.12; 4.81-7.79). It was associated with sexual relationship factors [such as not sharing same level of interest in sex (2.56; 1.97-3.33)], as well as with adverse experiences such as non-volitional sex (2.17; 1.68-2.80). Associations were also found with measures of psychological and physical health, including depressive symptoms (1.68; 1.28-2.21).
conclusionPainful sex is reported by a sizeable minority of women in Britain. Health professionals should be supported to undertake holistic assessment and treatment which takes account of the sexual, relationship and health context of symptoms. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Painful sex-reported by 7.5% of women in Britain-is linked to poorer sexual, physical, relational and mental health.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.