Assessment of the Association of Cannabis on Female Sexual Function With the Female Sexual Function Index

Summary & key facts

Researchers surveyed about 450 women who shopped at a cannabis dispensary to see if how often they used cannabis, what type, and how they took it related to sexual function. They used a standard sexual function questionnaire where scores under about 26.5 suggest sexual dysfunction. Women who used cannabis more often had higher sexual function scores, especially in desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. The type of cannabis and the way people used it did not show a clear effect. This was a one-time anonymous survey of dispensary customers, so the study shows a link but does not prove that cannabis caused the differences.

Key facts:

• Researchers collected anonymous online surveys from about 450 adult women who visited one dispensary group between October 2019 and March 2020.
• About 55% of respondents were ages 30–49, and about 82% were in a relationship or married.
• About 73% of the women reported using cannabis more than six times per week, and about 47% usually smoked flower.
• The study measured sexual function using a standard questionnaire where a score below about 26.5 is considered sexual dysfunction.
• Women who used cannabis more often had higher overall sexual function scores; for example, the highest-use group averaged about 29 while the lowest-use group averaged about 27 on the questionnaire.
• More frequent use was linked to better scores in specific areas: sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction.
• Each additional day of cannabis use per week was linked with a small increase in sexual function score and a lower chance of being classified with sexual dysfunction.
• Type of cannabis (for example higher THC) and the method of use (smoking, vaping, etc.) did not consistently change sexual function scores in this group.
• Because this was a cross-sectional survey of dispensary customers and relied on self-report, the findings show an association but cannot prove that cannabis use caused the changes in sexual function.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis use has increased in the last decade, and the impact of cannabis on female sexual function remains unclear. AIM: To assess the impact of frequency of use, chemovar (tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol, or both) type, and method of consumption on female sexual function among cannabis users. METHODS: Adults who visited a single-partner cannabis dispensary's locations were invited to participate in an uncompensated, anonymous online survey October 20, 2019 and March 12, 2020. The survey assessed baseline demographics, health status, cannabis use habits as well as used the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess sexual function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcomes of this study are the total FSFI score (sexual dysfunction cutoff <26.55) and subdomain scores including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. RESULTS: A total of 452 women responded with the majority between the ages of 30-49 years (54.7%) and in a relationship or married (81.6%). Of them,72.8% reported using cannabis more than 6 times per week, usually through smoking flower (46.7%). Women who reported more cannabis use, reported higher FSFI scores (29.0 vs 26.7 for lowest vs highest frequencies of reported use, P = .003). Moreover, an increase in cannabis use frequency by one additional use per week was associated with an increase in total FSFI (β = 0.61, P = .0004) and subdomains including desire domain (P = .02), arousal domain (P = .0002), orgasm domain (P = .002), and satisfaction domain (P = .003). For each additional step of cannabis use intensity (ie, times per week), the odds of reporting female sexual dysfunction declined by 21% (odds ratio: 0.79, 95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.92, P = .002). Method of consumption of cannabis and chemovar type did not consistently impact FSFI scores or odds of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Increased frequency of marijuana use is associated with improved sexual function among female users, whereas chemovar type, method of consumption, and reason for use does not impact outcomes. Kasman AM, Bhambhvani HP, Wilson-King G, et al. Assessment of the Association of Cannabis on Female Sexual Function With the Female Sexual Function Index. Sex Med 2020;8:699-708.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects Sexual function and dysfunction studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Association (psychology) Cannabis Computer science Index (typography) Internal medicine Medicine Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Sexual function World Wide Web

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Sexual Dysfunctions