Descriptions of the Female Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaires

Descriptions of the Female Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaires

This group of questionnaires consists of the HSDD, the SFQ28, the ASFQ, and the SQoL-F.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder Screener (HSDD)

The 4-item Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) screener was developed to screen specifically for presence or absence of HSDD in women. Three of the items address desire and 1-item addresses level of distress. The HSDD screener was developed and validated in women with HSDD, as confirmed by clinician diagnosis.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in approximately 2 minutes;

Recall period is the previous three months;

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among women who are 18+ in age.

Reference:
Leiblum S, Symonds T, Moore J, Soni P, Steinberg S, Sisson M. A methodology study to develop and validate a screener for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women. J Sex Med. 2006;3(3):455-464.

Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28)

The 28-item Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28) was developed as a screening tool for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and also as an efficacy measure. The SFQ has 6 domains, four of which are specific to the four main types of female sexual dysfunction (FSD): Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD), Female Orgasm Disorder (FOD), Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), and Pain Disorder. The other two domains address 'enjoyment' and 'partner' issues. The instrument was developed and validated in a broad spectrum of women with FSD.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in approximately 10 minutes;

Recall period is the previous four weeks;

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among women who are 18+ in age.

An abbreviated 20-item version is also available, which captures information on the four main types of FSD: FSAD, FOD, HSDD, and Pain. The other 2 domains of 'enjoyment' and 'partner' have been removed.

References:
Quirk FH, Heiman JR, Rosen RC, Laan E, Smith MD, Boolell M. Development of a sexual function questionnaire for clinical trials of female sexual dysfunction. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002;11(3):277-289.

Quirk F, Haughie S, Symonds T. The use of the sexual function questionnaire as a screening tool for women with sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2005;2(4):469-477.

Abbreviated Sexual Function Questionnaire (ASFQ)

The Abbreviated Sexual Function Questionnaire is an abbreviated version of the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28) created to reduce patient burden in clinical studies by dropping the partner and enjoyment items. It has 20 items assessing the domains of desire, arousal (sensation), arousal (lubrication), arousal (cognitive), orgasm, and pain.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in approximately 6-7 minutes;

Recall period is the previous four weeks;

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among women who are 18+ in age.

Reference:
Williams K, Abraham L, Symonds T. Psychometric validation of an abbreviated version of the sexual function questionnaire (ASFQ). Value in Health 2010; 13(7): A381.

Sexual Quality of Life - Female (SQOL-F)

The 18-item Sexual Quality of Life - Female questionnaire was developed to assess the sexual quality of life women, specifically to assess sexual confidence, emotional well-being and relationship issues. The instrument has been validated for use in broad range of women with Female Sexual Arousal Disorder and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in approximately 7 minutes;

Recall period is the previous four weeks;

Each item is rated on a 6-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among women who are 18+ in age.

Reference:
Symonds T, Boolell M, Quirk F. Development of a questionnaire on sexual quality of life in women. J Sex Marital Ther. 2005;31(5):385-397.

Order Questionnaires

Each of the questionnaires may be ordered free of charge from this website. When you go to the order page, you will be asked to complete the required information. You can choose to be sent any or all of the three FSD questionnaires. Translations of the questionnaires are available in a number of languages. When you request the questionnaires, a scoring manual will be automatically emailed to you as well. Should you have questions regarding the Female Sexual Dysfunction questionnaires, please contact us.