Qualitative Assessment of Sexual Health Impairment in Women Affected by Disk Herniation

Background: Sexual health in women with lumbar disk herniation (LDH) in Iran is underexplored, despite its substantial impact on quality of life. This study aimed to explore the sexual health challenges of women with LDH and identify management strategies. Methods: This qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews with seven women diagnosed with LDH and six sexual health experts. Participants were chosen according to their scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire to ensure a diverse representation across high, medium, and low sexual function levels. A conventional content analysis approach was used to analyze data during collection. Results: The analysis identified two main categories and 11 subcategories. The first category, “Challenging sexual relationships with back pain”, included six subcategories: pain during sex, sexual desire disorder, orgasmic dysfunction, reduced frequency and duration of sexual intercourse, and post-sexual dysfunction. The second category, “Coping strategies and advice”, included five strategies: improving communication, applying pain-relief techniques, choosing appropriate sexual positions, seeking partner support, reducing penetration time, and promoting mental health and spiritual well-being. Conclusion: This study highlights the interrelation of sexual pain and mood disorders has led to a significant reduction in both the frequency and duration of sexual intercourse, resulting in many women being unable to achieve orgasm. Tailored interventions that focus on the physical, emotional, and relational aspects of sexual health are crucial for improving the overall well-being of these women. Keywords: lumbar disk herniation, sexual health, female sexual function, qualitative study