Consequences of drug use in female orgasm and sexual satisfaction in Spanish women

ABSTRACT

Female anorgasmia, which the DSM-5 defines as a marked delay, marked infrequency or absence of orgasm, occurs in the orgasm phase of sexual response being the second most frequent sexual dysfunction in women. It is widely accepted that drugs usage has devastating consequences on sexual response. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between drug use and anorgasmia and sexual satisfaction, and other variables that can affect sexual response. An ex post facto study was conducted. Two groups of women were selected through cluster sampling from 28 drug rehabilitation centres belonging to the same institution throughout Spain: drug-using females (n = 129) and non-drug-using females (n = 129). They completed questionnaires about sexual function, sexual satisfaction, anxiety and sexual attitudes. Female drug users presented higher percentages of anorgasmia (13.18%>2.33%), sexual dissatisfaction (34.10%>3.87%), sexual avoidance (47.28%>17.05%), infrequency (59.68%>44.96%) and less erotic foreplay (3.10%>0.77%) compared to the control group. Moreover, higher scores were obtained in state anxiety (23.82 > 14.56) and trait anxiety (30.93 > 16.95), while lower scores were obtained in erotophilia (84.93 < 95.81). Female drug users reported significant impairments in sexual satisfaction, orgasm and sexual attitudes, concurrently with greater infrequency, avoidance and anxiety compared with the control group of non-drug-user females.

KEYWORDS:

• Anorgasmia
• sexual attitudes
• drug users
• GRISS
• ex post facto study

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

F. Javier Del Río Olvera

Francisco Javier del Río Olvera, PhD, is a psychologist, specialist in sexology and methodology. Professor in the area of Personality, Psychological Evaluation and Treatment at the University of Cadiz, and has over 10 years working in clinical psychology with people with addiction problems. He has received several research awards in the area of sexuality. He is a member of the Editorial Board of “Revista Internacional de Andrología y Medicina Sexual”. He is also a reviewer for the publication of articles in various scientific journals. His main areas of work are psychology, sexuality, addictions and research methodology. In May 2016 a book based on his clinical experience in the field of people with addiction problems will be published.

Marina A. Cabello

Marina A. Cabello García is psychologist and sexologist. Expert in neuro feedback. Director of the Department of Psychology of Adolescence in the Andalusian Institute of Sexology and Psychology and member of the Research Department. She has participated in 16 research on human sexuality and received the award for the best research in the XI Spanish Congress of Sexology.

Francisco Cabello-Santamaría

Francisco Cabello Santamaria, PhD, is Sexologist, Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist. Director of the Andalusian Institute of Sexology and Psychology. Author of 7 books on sexology and 44 scientific publications. He is a member of the Editorial Board of “Revista Internacional de Andrología y Medicina Sexual”, “Sexología Integral”, “Archivos Hispanoamericanos de Sexología”, “Cuadernos de Medicina Psicosomática y Psiquiatría de Enlace”, and “Psiquiatría y Conducta”. In 2012 he was awarded with “Award for career” by the Association of Psychologists. In 2015 he was elected President of the International Academy of Medical Sexology.