More than 70 percent of Nepalis have sexual dysfunction

More than 70 percent of Nepalis have sexual dysfunction. The first national study on sexual dysfunction conducted in Nepal has shown that 72 percent of men and 67 percent of women above the age of 30 have sexual dysfunction.

The study was conducted by the Local Integrated Development Society Nepal (SOLID Nepal) with the support of the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services and the United Nations Population Fund.

The study included 3,382 married couples from 34 districts in all seven provinces and three geographical regions, said researcher Dr. Khem Karki.

According to the study, out of 72.5 percent of men with sexual dysfunction, 5 percent have severe dysfunction and 32 percent have moderate dysfunction. It is claimed that 84 percent of men with dysfunction are unable to achieve sexual satisfaction.

92 percent of both women and men have complained of a lack of sexual desire, which indicates stress and health problems in their lives, says Dr. Karki.

94 percent of women with sexual dysfunction have a problem of lack of sexual arousal. 86 percent of women have vaginal dryness and 66 percent have reported feeling pain during sexual intercourse.

According to Dr. Karki, the study began in September 2024 and ended in December. After that, the data from the study was analyzed for 6 months.

‘The study was conducted by physically meeting the person and through a questionnaire,’ says Dr. Karki, ‘We conducted the study according to international standards.’ 16 researchers were deployed for the study.

According to Dr. Karki, the problem of sexual dysfunction is increasing worldwide. According to international statistics, an average of 49 percent of women and 43 percent of men in the world have sexual dysfunction. This rate is even higher in Asian countries.

Samila Dahal, head of the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Branch under the Department of Health Services, said that policy work should be done on the issues highlighted by the study.