Comparison of sexual function in married women with acute lumbar disc herniation versus those with a history of discectomy: A cross-sectional study - Payesh (Health Monitor)
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Volume 25, Issue 2 (March-April 2026)                   Payesh 2026, 25(2): 239-247 | Back to browse issues page

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Moradi Z, Shahali S, Ahmadi F, Montazeri A. Comparison of sexual function in married women with acute lumbar disc herniation versus those with a history of discectomy: A cross-sectional study. Payesh 2026; 25 (2) :239-247
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2891-en.html
1- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran
2- Department of Reproductive Health a Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares Univesity, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4- Health Metrics Research Center, Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (67 Views)
Objective (s): Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders during reproductive age and can significantly affect not only physical functioning but also sexual health. Despite the notable prevalence of sexual dysfunction among this population, most previous studies have primarily focused on men and investigated changes in sexual function before and after discectomy surgery. This study aimed to compare sexual function in women with acute lumbar disc herniation without prior surgical history to those who had undergone discectomy.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in Fasa, Iran. A total of 190 married women of reproductive age were enrolled using non-random convenience sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria. The participants were divided into two equal groups: 95 women with acute lumbar disc herniation and 95 with a history of discectomy surgery. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the study population was 87.4%. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of total FSFI scores, prevalence of dysfunction across different sexual domains, frequency of monthly sexual intercourse, or intensity of low back pain. However, the discectomy group differed significantly in educational level, income, duration of illness, and severity of disc herniation compared to the non-surgical group.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that a history of discectomy surgery does not lead to improvements in sexual function among women with lumbar disc herniation. These results underscore the importance of a multidimensional approach to sexual health in the management of women with lumbar disc disease.
Full-Text [PDF 1096 kb]   (38 Downloads)    
type of study: Descriptive | Subject: Reproductive Health
Received: 2025/05/17 | Accepted: 2025/06/29 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/04/12 | Published: 2026/04/21

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