Female Sexual Dysfunction in the Muslim Women population

Sexual dysfunction, or problems with sexual function, occur to women all over the world.
About 40% of women worldwide experience some form of sexual dysfunction, but not
many seek medical help.¹ One such reason for not seeking medical help may be
religious views and/or cultural upbringing. It is important to understand how a person's
religion and culture can influence their sexual health. Sexual dysfunction can include
issues like low desire, trouble with arousal, inability to orgasm, and pain during sex.
Pain with penile-vaginal intercourse is referred to as dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
Pain with intercourse can also be the result of vestibulodynia (pain at the entrance of
the vagina), vaginismus (tightening of the muscles surrounding the vagina in
anticipation of penetration), pelvic floor dysfunction, infections, issues with the spinal
cord or CNS.
The important aspects of relationships and sexual health can be created by the culture
and religion people identify with. The topic of sexual health is interconnected to the way
we view gender roles, sexual behavior, and explanatory models of sexual dysfunction.²
A subset of women that face sexual dysfunction but have been overlooked in research
and treatment are Muslim women. For Muslim women, who number around 800 million
globally, sexual dysfunction is seldom discussed in research or clinically treated.³ Islam,
a religion that encourages modesty, can influence how women view their sexual health.
Cultures associated with Islam may contort or exaggerate the extent to which Islam
views sexuality and modesty. For example, many South Asian cultures are often
conservative about sex, which can make it hard for women to discuss sexual issues.
Sex education is often absent or framed primarily through religious and cultural lenses.
These experiences shape their psychosocial health and well-being, and when negative,
they can contribute to sexual dysfunction.⁴ Muslim women experience sexual
dysfunction like other women, including arousal, desire, penetration and orgasmic
disorders that relate to biologic and psychological elements. Islam, itself, is a sex-
positive religion, viewing intimacy within marriage as both a sacred act of worship and a
means of fostering mutual pleasure and connection. However, the patriarchal cultures
that many Muslim women belong to do not encourage them to seek help. In a study
from 2020, 704 Muslims aged 18-45 in the U.S. and Canada responded to a survey. Of
the 86% who identified as cisgender women, 47% answered questions about sexual
dysfunction/sexual pain and 42% of the respondents revealed that they have or have
had a history of sexual pain and/or dysfunction. Of the women who had a history of sex-
related pain, 65% disclosed that they had never sought help for their pain from any
healthcare provider.⁵
Understanding the Islamic views and cultural influences on female sexuality is crucial
for treating sexual dysfunction in Muslim women. It is encouraged for clinicians to ask

their female Muslim patients about their sexual health to foster a safe space that will
allow patients to feel comfortable and share their experiences. Healthcare providers
should also educate Muslim women about sexual dysfunction and offer treatments that
respect cultural beliefs. While Islam is sex positive within the context of marriage, many
cultures that Muslim women identify with, are not. Therefore, displaying cultural
competence as a provider can improve patient care and quality of life for Muslim women
dealing with these issues.⁶

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