Sexual function in female business leaders: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to provide a golden opportunity to access sexual function in women who act as leaders in companies through the use of an instrument validated for this purpose (the Female Sexual Function Index). The number of women in leadership positions has been gradually increasing, which shows the need for women to prepare themselves to reorganize the different aspects of life, including social, family, and personal factors as well as sexuality. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving female executives employed in private companies who answered the Female Sexual Function Index. A convenience sample was made up of 50 women in leadership positions who had been employed for at least 1 year and were aged between 35 and 50 years in childbearing age. RESULTS: The mean total Female Sexual Function Index score of the evaluated sample was 22.6+7.6, characterizing sexual dysfunction, and the domain that was less negatively impacted was pain. It was also observed that all Female Sexual Function Index domains were worse in women between 41 and 50 years old (p<0.05), except desire. CONCLUSION: The total Female Sexual Function Index score of female company leaders was below the cutoff point for adequate sexual function. According to the results of this study and the applied methodology, professional success may not be associated with the quality of sexual life.