Objectives: Although female sexual problems are common, their assessment during obstetrician-gynecologists’ (OB/GYNs’) appointments is not necessary routine. In the present study, we evaluated the attitudes and practice patterns regarding sexual problems in Finnish OB/GYNs clinical work.

Study Design: A web-based questionnaire was sent through the register of The Finnish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Background information included gender, age, education, occupational status, number of patients treated/day, and number of patients dealt with sexual health issues/day.

Main Outcome Measures: The three fields of interests included: 1) The attitudes regarding sexual problems (five questions), 2) Practice patterns regarding sexual history taking (two questions), 3) The practice patterns regarding sexual problems (eight questions).

Results: The survey was completed by 328 respondents and 299 questionnaires were eligible for the analysis (specialist [83%, n=249], /resident [n=50, 17%]). Most of the OB/GYNs (95%, n=285/299) considered that treating sexual problems is an important part of the healthcare. A half (52%, n=155/299) reported that diagnosing female sexual problems is difficult. Compared to male (29%, n=6/21), females (54%, n=149/278) were more likely to report the difficulty. Less than a half (45%, n=136) reported asking often about sexual problems when taking general anamnesis. As a method to conduct sexual history, a majority 86% (n=258/299) used open conversation. A third (34%, n=102/299) reported that there are distinct instructions in their organization how to refer patients to continued care.

Conclusions: Though, almost all OB/GYNs reported the treatment of sexual problems to be an important healthcare issue, less than a half of OB/GYNs asked about sexual problems. Diagnosing female sexual problems was considered difficult, especially among female OB/GYNs. The practice patterns in healthcare regarding sexual problems seemed to be still unorganized.