Sexual Behavior of Korean Women

Lee, Woong Hee; Xin, Zhong Cheng; Choi, Hyung Ki

Abstract

PURPOSE: As there have been few reports on the sexual behavior of Korean women, we investigates female sexual function by self-report measures in both clinical and nonclinical populations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We distributed 1500 copies of the Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women(BISF-W), a self-report measure of female sexual dysfunction, to both clinical and nonclinical married populations aged 24 to 50 years. The women were asked to answer the 23 questions and return the reports in the self-addressed envelope. Factor analysis was done through three dimensions: sexual interest or desire, sexual activity or frequency, and satisfaction with sexual relationships. Some items measured the ejaculatory latency of the sexual partner and any tendency toward homosexual behavior.
RESULTS
Of the BISF-W reports distributed, 623 were returned of which 586 were sufficiently complete for analysis. Subjects were grouped by age at 5-year intervals. Those who had younger partner accounted for 5.2% of the group and those with a partner of the same age for 14.6%. Sexual activity was decreased in women in their 30s and increased in the early 40s. The most active group were those age 25-29, whose average intercourse frequency was 9.2 times during 4 weeks. Orgasmic dysfunction was reported by 7.7% of the series. Factors adversely influencing sexual life were reported by more than 57%, and the most common factor was 'lack of time or intimacy'. Fewer than 30% of the women reported talking actively to their partners about sexual desire. However, satisfaction rate (more than moderate) was as high as 71%. Severe dissatisfaction was highly related to the partner's ejaculatory latency time. The mean ejaculatory time was 11.3 min. A homosexual tendency was revealed by 5.8% of the respondents, and 3.5% reported relationships involving anal sex.
CONCLUSIONS
The sexual activities of Korean women are much influenced by lack of time. However, in spite of the low sexual activity, the satisfaction rate was relatively high. A larger study will be needed for investigation of the board range of psychosocial and interpersonal variables.