Back ground: Information about female sexuality is limited in Egypt and many other Islamic countries due to traditions. The current study is an effort to evaluate some aspects of libido in women in order to shed some light on this ignored item in this area of the world. Participants and Methods: A self-report questionnaire was given to 200 women attending the andrology and gynecology outpatient clinics, Benha University, Egypt. The questionnaire covered demographic data and some factors that may affect female libido.
Results: Most women reported no change in libido related to menstruation timing, obesity, menopause, diabetes or use of hormonal contraceptives. Pregnancy had a negative effect on libido. Stress either in work or within the family or with husband resulted in a decrease in libido. Sea foods followed by eggs were the most commonly reported foods producing an increase in libido (93.7%, 71%). On the other hand, liquorice followed by garlic were the most common types of foods that produced a decrease in libido (85.7%, 64.9%). Almost 70% of genitally cut women reported either a medium or a high libido.
Conclusion: Libido in most studied women seems to be negatively affected by pregnancy but bot by menstruation or hormonal contraceptive agents. The effect of food needs further study.