Effect of sexual diary keeping and self-evaluation on female sexual function and depression: A pilot study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the trial was to assess the effect of self-evaluation and sexual diary keeping on female sexual function and depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with sexual dysfunction.

Methods A single-arm non-randomised trial included 30 women (53 ± 7 years of age) with female sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] < 27) and a stable partnership duration of 5–40 years. Female sexual function was assessed by sexual, psychological and gynaecological history taking and validated questionnaires including the FSFI, Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS), before and after 4 weeks of sexual diary keeping.

Results A subjective improvement in communication of sexual problems was reported by 60% of participants; no participants reported any worsening of communication. FSFI and FSDS scores were, respectively, 18.0 ± 7.7 and 22.0 ± 10.0 at baseline and 20.2 ± 7.2 and 20.6 ± 11.5 after 4 weeks. HDS score decreased from 6.0 ± 4.0 at baseline to 4.4 ± 2.7 after 4 weeks (p = 0.042).

Conclusions Self-evaluation and sexual diary keeping may improve aspects of sexual life, such as couple communication, without a direct effect on variables measured with validated questionnaires on different domains of sexual function.

KEYWORDS::

• Communication
• Female sexual dysfunction
• Placebo
• Sexual diary keeping
• Sexual life quality

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Professor Dr Johannes C. Huber for his valued support.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This study was funded by a research grant from the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in 2013 [FA716B1201].

Supplementary material available online

Supplementary Appendix to be found online at http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13625187.2015.1074676.