Importance of active and passive smoking as one of the risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess possible risk factors for female sexual dysfunction (FSD), aiming especially at smoking in China. METHODS: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for assessing FSD; 621 women (24-75 years) divided into 'group FSD' (FSFI≤ 26.55) and 'group No FSD' (FSFI > 26.55). Univariate and multivariate analysis to detect potential risk factors for FSD. RESULTS: Active smoking was the strongest risk factor after multiple adjustments (OR= 6.226, 95%CI = 1.561 ∼ 24.822), but passive smoking also was significantly associated with a risk of FSD (OR = 1.887, 95%CI = 1.092 ∼ 3.260) (p < .05). Other risk factors included age (OR = 1.040, 95%CI = 1.005 ∼ 1.076), medical comorbidities (OR= 1.688, 95%CI =1.044 ∼ 2.729), postmenopausal stage (OR= 2.021, 95%CI = 1.073 ∼ 5.717), and dissatisfied marital relations (OR= 3.771, 95%CI = 1.768 ∼ 8.045). The prevalence of FSD for smokers regarding disorders of sexual arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction increased in active smokers; sexual desire disorder, sexual arousal disorder and pain in secondhand smokers (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The risk of FSD was closely related to depletion of ovarian function. Active smokers had the highest risk, but passive smoking also had a significant relationship to FSD. Although female smokers are rare in China, 'husband smoking' is frequent. Thus, our results should have significant healthcare consequences.