Highlights
- •Higher mindfulness was associated with lower odds of having sexual dysfunction.
- •Higher mindfulness was associated with better scores for sexual function.
- •Higher mindfulness correlated with lower sexual distress, controlling for scores on the female sexual function index.
- •Higher mindfulness correlated with better scores in all subdomains of the female sexual function except pain.
Abstract
Objectives
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) affects women of all ages. It is often a multifactorial
problem with a strong psychosocial component. Mindfulness may help alleviate FSD with
nonjudgmental, present-moment awareness and decreased emotional reactivity. The goal
of this study was to assess the association between dispositional or trait mindfulness
and FSD.
Study Design
In this cross-sectional study at a tertiary care women's health clinic, 1718 cisgender
women (mean age, 51.9 years) completed the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS),
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised (FSDS-R).
Main Outcome Measures
Regression analysis was used to test the associations of mindfulness, sexual function,
and sexual distress with univariate and multivariable analyses, adjusting for potential
confounders.
Results
Within the sample, 57% of women met FSD criteria (FSFI scores ≤26.55 and FSDS-R ≥ 11).
On univariate analysis, higher MAAS scores, signifying greater mindfulness, were associated
with higher (better) sexual function scores, lower sexual distress scores, and lower
odds of FSD. This association persisted on multivariable analysis after adjusting
for potential confounders.
Conclusions
Higher trait mindfulness was associated with better sexual function, lower sexual
distress, and lower likelihood of FSD. Further studies are needed to assess the role
of mindfulness in mitigating FSD.
Keywords
Abbreviations:
AUC (area under the curve), BMI (body mass index), CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DREAMS (Data Registry on Experiences of Aging, Menopause, and Sexuality), FSD (female sexual dysfunction), FSDS-R (Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised), FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale), IQR (interquartile range), KMSS (Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale), MAAS (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale), MBCT (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy), MBT (mindfulness-based therapy), OR (odds ratio), PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire–9)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 14, 2022
Accepted:
February 10,
2022
Received in revised form:
February 1,
2022
Received:
November 17,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
