Determinants of Female Sexual Function: The Impact of Educational Level, Body Mass Index, and Menopausal Status

<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objective</bold> This study evaluated sexual function among sexually active women attending a university hospital urology outpatient clinic using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and investigated its associations with body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, and educational level. <bold>Methods</bold> This cross-sectional observational study included 87 sexually active women. Age, BMI, menopausal status, and educational level were recorded, and sexual function was assessed using the FSFI. Associations between BMI and total and domain-specific FSFI scores were evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. Scores were compared by menopausal status using the Mann–Whitney U test and by educational level using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of total FSFI score. <bold>Results</bold> BMI was not significantly correlated with total or domain-specific FSFI scores (all p &gt; 0.05). No significant differences were observed between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (all p &gt; 0.05). Educational level was significantly associated with total FSFI score (p = 0.0348) and arousal domain score (p = 0.0153), with higher educational levels corresponding to higher scores. In multivariable analysis, educational level was positively associated and age was negatively associated with total FSFI score, whereas BMI and menopausal status were not significant predictors. <bold>Conclusion</bold> BMI and menopausal status were not significant determinants of female sexual function in this cohort. Conversely, educational level was independently associated with overall sexual function, particularly arousal, suggesting that female sexual health may be influenced by sociocultural as well as biological factors. </p>