UNDERSTANDING OF THE IRANIAN WOMEN OF THE ORIGIN OF THEIR SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Background & Aims: Detecting influential factors of sexual dysfunction could be essential in preventive and intervention strategies. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the women’s understanding of the origin of their sexual problems. Materials & Methods: Fifteen married women with sexual dysfunction aged 21-42 were interviewed in person as they were referred to Tehran University outpatient sexual health clinics to receive care and treatment. Sexual dysfunction approved by clinician judgment and standard questionnaires. Results: Appling directed content analysis, we applied from previous known themes of physiological, psychological, interpersonal and socio-cultural determinants of sexual dysfunction However, categories that constitute main themes were in some aspects different with those found in Western contexts specifically, in socio-cultural issues. In addition, the greatest focus of our participants was on socio-cultural related factors such as financial pressures, life stressors and fatigue, lack of sexual knowledge, erroneous sexual beliefs and perfectionism. These findings revealed also some new attributing factors of sexual problems such as filiarchy. Conclusions: Our results suggest that socio-cultural determinants and theirs impacts need to be taken into account in delivering culturally sensitive interventions for treatment of women sexual problems.