Impact of Vaginal Discharge on Female Sexual Function by Using Female Sexual Function Index

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Published: 2026-01-30
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/ax28sn59
Keywords:
Female sexual function; Female Sexual Function Index; Vaginal discharge; Itching; Sexual dysfunction

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Uzma Parveen
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
Zahida Parveen Brohi
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
Nudrat Zeba
Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
Aneela Sadaf
Consultant Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Services Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Nishat Zohra
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Isra Medical University, Hyderabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Vaginal discharge and associated symptoms may influence individual dimensions of female sexual function, but evidence regarding these relationships in Pakistani women is limited. Objective: To compare total and domain-specific Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores among women with physiological vaginal discharge, pathological discharge with itching, and pathological discharge without itching. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 81 women attending the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Hajiani Day and Night Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from January to December 2021. Participants were classified into three groups of 27 women. Sexual function was assessed using the 19-item FSFI. Mean scores were compared using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey post-hoc comparisons. Results: Significant differences between-group were identified for desire (p=0.004), lubrication (p<0.001), and satisfaction (p=0.003). Compared with women with physiological discharge, women with pathological discharge without itching had lower desire (mean difference 0.33, 95% CI 0.06–0.60) and lubrication scores (mean difference 0.32, 95% CI 0.09–0.55) but higher satisfaction scores (mean difference −0.39, 95% CI −0.72 to −0.06). No significant differences were observed for arousal, orgasm, pain, or total FSFI score (p=0.228). Conclusion: Vaginal-discharge groups differed in selected FSFI domains, but the pattern did not indicate consistently poorer sexual function in women with pathological discharge or itching

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
Uzma Parveen et al. 2026. Impact of Vaginal Discharge on Female Sexual Function by Using Female Sexual Function Index. Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research. 4, 2 (Jan. 2026), 1–6. DOI:https://doi.org/10.61919/ax28sn59.

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