Female Sexual Dysfunction: co-morbidity, duration and factors associated with treatment outcomes.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is usually sub-divided into a number of different diagnoses. The main diagnoses include desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, dyspareunia and vaginismus. However there is debate regarding what is the most appropriate way to classify different types of FSD and whether some diagnostic categories could be combined. In addition there is very limited longitudinal data on FSD progression over time or response to treatments employed in clinical practice. Aims and objectives of this investigation: 1. Undertake a descriptive study of FSD progression over time. We will examine the time course over which women with FSD continue to report symptoms. In addition we will determine the proportion of women who respond to treatment, experience a worsening of symptoms or decide to discontinue treatment 2. Explore factors that predict whether a woman with FSD will respond to treatment or choose to discontinue treatment. Factors examined may include demographic factors, types of treatment, co-morbidity and medications 3. Determine if there is evidence that certain FSD diagnostic categories may be combined in future. Drawing on CRIS data for women with FSD we will compare duration of illness, factors associated with different FSD diagnoses and co-morbidity across FSD categories.