An examination of sexual function & distress among sexual minority & heterosexual women seeking care at menopause and sexual health specialty clinics.

This article examines sexual function and sexual distress among sexual minority women (SMW)—defined by sexual identity, behavior, or relationship status—and heterosexual women presenting to tertiary women’s health clinics at Mayo Clinic from 2016 to 2023. Using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised (FSDS-R) to define female sexual dysfunction (FSD), the study found no significant difference in overall FSD rates between predominantly White SMW and heterosexual women, though SMW reported higher sexual distress and greater sexual pain. Factors independently associated with FSD across all women included postmenopausal status, severe menopause symptoms, anxiety, and depression, while older age, perimenopausal status, current hormone therapy, and being single/unpartnered were linked to lower FSD risk. The study highlights the need for culturally competent care and further research in larger, more diverse populations to better understand sexual health disparities among SMW.