Coital Frequency in a Sample of Egyptian Women

it can be used as an indicator of fertility and can be used as method of family planning. In unmarried persons it can be an indicator about the risk of having a sexually transmissible infection. Coital frequency varies in different cultures and socioeconomic standards. The current study was carried out to bridge the knowledge gap about coital frequency in a group of Egyptian married women. Factors affecting this frequency will be also looked for.Patients and Methods: The Participants of this cross-sectional study were 306 married women attending the outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital (for reasons other than sexual councelling). A self-report questionnaire designed by the investigators was used.Results: The most common coital frequency was 2-3 times/week (64.05%). This frequency was suitable for 78.43% of participants. Husband's desire was the most important determinant of coital frequency (89.87%). The most common cause of low coital frequency was unavailability of husband (56.86%). Problems within the family (57.19%) or with the husband (82.03%) negatively affect coital frequency. Coital frequency declines with aging and long duration of marriage.Conclusion: The most common coital frequency was 2-3 times / week followed by once/ month. Advance in age and long duration of marriage were associated with a low coital frequency. Other factors affecting coital frequency were husband's unavailability , husband's ill health, husband's sexual desire, presence or absence of problems with husband or within the family.