Sexual health in Benin: 99% of women experience pain during intercourse, according to a study

Results show that almost all women in relationships suffer from pain or sexual difficulties, a situation that challenges health professionals, political actors, and civil society organizations.

The survey, published in the Public Health journal and coordinated by several Beninese and international specialists, was conducted between September and December 2022 among 1,531 women aged 15 to 49 in four representative municipalities of the country: Djougou and Parakou in the North, Abomey-Calavi and Porto-Novo in the South. All had been in a relationship for at least six months at the time of the study.

To assess sexual health, the researchers used an internationally recognized tool, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), adapted to local languages to account for linguistic and cultural realities.

Figures that demand attention

The results from these surveys are striking:
99.93% of surveyed women report feeling pain during sex.
83.31% report difficulties with arousal.
73.02% struggle to reach orgasm.
76.36% experience lubrication problems.
66.69% express a lack of sexual desire.

Overall, 62.18% report being dissatisfied with their personal sexuality. These proportions vary from one locality to another: sexual dissatisfaction within the couple is more pronounced in Parakou than in Porto-Novo, highlighting social, cultural, and religious differences in the expression of female sexuality.

Culture, religion and taboos

The authors of the study emphasize that social and religious norms deeply influence women’s sexuality perception. In areas where Islam and polygamy are more widespread, female sexuality is often viewed primarily in terms of reproduction or as a marital obligation.

In these contexts, women may experience difficulties without associating them with personal or sexual dissatisfaction. Conversely, in the south of the country, where monogamy and Christianity are more common, the expression of sexual difficulties within the couple is more frequent, even though the numbers remain high everywhere.

Break the silence

The researchers call for better consideration of women’s sexual health in public health policies. They argue that this dimension goes beyond the medical framework alone and requires an approach that integrates relational, cultural, and psychological dimensions.

The study concludes that the taboo around female sexuality must be progressively deconstructed to allow women to express their experiences, access appropriate care, and live their sexuality in line with their needs and well-being.