Difficulty in vaginal intercourse and its correlates: A survey study among Chinese women in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined vaginal intercourse difficulty (VID) and its correlates among Chinese women in Hong Kong.

Design: A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data via convenience sampling.

Materials and Methods: Questionnaires with items on VID and female sexual function were completed by women aged 18 or above (N = 1011). Participation was voluntary and anonymous.

Results: Women experienced VID (N = 131) felt embarrassed and would rather solve their problems themselves. Not knowing where to seek help or not knowing that VID could be treated also hindered professional consultation. A slightly higher proportion of women with unresolved VID were better educated. Sexual desire of women with unresolved VID was not significantly affected, but sexual function in arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and sexual quality of life were significantly impaired. Seeking professional help appeared to be instrumental to fulfilling other needs more than to being able to enjoy sexual life fully.

Conclusion: Unresolved VID was detrimental to female sexual functioning and lower sexual frequency, which resulted in sexual needs being distressingly compromised. Worries of impaired marital relationship were also reported. Sex therapy and public sex education reaching out to women with unresolved VID should be promoted.