Association of body mass index and sexual dysfunction among married women in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia
Lujain Safwan Filfilan, Nesrin Kamal Abd El-Fatah

TL;DR
This study found that obesity is strongly linked to sexual dysfunction in married women in Saudi Arabia, with psychological and partner-related factors playing a key role.
Contribution
The study is the first to explore the association between BMI and FSD in married women in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, highlighting cultural and psychological mediators.
Findings
84.6% of married women in Makkah experienced sexual dysfunction.
Obesity was significantly associated with sexual dysfunction, especially lubrication and orgasm issues.
Psychological distress and partner-related factors, like the husband's sexual dysfunction, were major contributors to FSD.
Abstract
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent yet understudied health concern among married women in Saudi Arabia, where obesity rates among women are alarmingly high. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of FSD and its association with BMI among married women attending primary health care centers (PHCs) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 married women aged 18–50 years attending PHCs in Makkah. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographics, medical history, reproductive health, and sexual function using the validated Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI). Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Kruskal–Wallis analyses were used to examine associations between BMI, FSD, and significant contributors. The prevalence of FSD…
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Taxonomy
TopicsSexual function and dysfunction studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships
