Dissatisfaction with body and genital imaging may be related to decreased sexual efficacy and sexual activity avoidance. So this study has the aim to relate body image and genital self-image to the sexual function of young adult women.

This is a cross-sectional study whose recruited sample included sexually active women between 18-40 years. Pregnant women and those who did not understand the evaluation instruments were excluded. From this point, the following questionnaires were applied: Female Sexual Function Index, Femail Genital Self Image Scale and Body Shape Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 14.0. To analyze the normality of the data, descriptive statistics and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test were performed. The analysis of the numerical variables included mean and standard deviation and the categorical absolute number and frequency. In addition, independent test T, Chi Square and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

The sample consisted of 412 women, with a mean age of 29.1 ± 6.1 years, with a higher frequency of single women, higher education level, eutrophic, nulliparous women undergoing cesarean delivery, contraceptive use without pelvic surgery intervention. These women were divided into adequate sexual function (77.9%) and sexual dysfunction (22.1%). BSQ-34 scores were higher in the group of women with sexual dysfunction, while the highest FGSIS-7 scores were present in those with adequate sexual function, which demonstrates a significant relationship between body image and genital self-image with sexual function (p≤0.001). In addition, higher BSQ-34 scores are a risk factor for the development of sexual dysfunction, while higher FGSIS-7 scores indicate protection for sexual dysfunction, since a high FGSIS score validates greater satisfaction with the region (p <0.05). Concern for the body increases the chances of sexual dysfunction (β = .011), while a more positive genital image is protective for the onset of DS (β = -, 141).

The present study evaluated the relationship between genital and body self-image with sexual function in young adult women and demonstrated that these variables can predict female sexual behavior in this age group, while the body and genital dissatisfaction as a whole is related to presence of sexual dysfunction.
The literature recognizes a strong relationship between genital self-image and sexual function, but there are few studies that add up to the evaluation of body self-image.

Body image and genital self-image influence the sexual function of young adult women.

van de Grift TC, Cohen-Kettenis PT, de Vries ALC, Kreukels BPC. Body image and self-esteem in disorders of sex development: A European multicenter study. Health Psychol. 2018 Apr;37(4):334-343. doi: 10.1037/hea0000600
Felix GAA, Nahas FX, Marcondes GB, Dos Santos AG, de Brito MJA, Ferreira LM.  Brazilian Portuguese version of the Female Genital Self Image Scale (FGSIS) for women seeking abdominoplasty. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2017 Dec;70(12):1786-1787. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.07.007. Epub 2017