Screening for sexual problems through a simple questionnaire.

Screening for sexual problems should be part of the medical assessment, but there is controversy on the best method to use. This study compared the yield of a simple questionnaire with that of a more detailed interview. Ninety-eight sexually active women (out of a total of 110) admitted on an elective basis to general gynecology wards were studied. Forty-six patients presented with a sexual complaint and 33 (33%) of these requested medical attention for the problem. In all cases, the simple questionnaire was as effective as the detailed inquiry in detecting a sexual problem. It is concluded that a simple questionnaire can be used effectively by all physicians as a screening test for sexual dysfunction with regard to heterosexual coital activity. Further research is required to confirm this hypothesis in other conditions of medical practice.