Doctors have been asked to raise the topic of sexual health concerns with young women, in light of findings showing one in five experience some kind of sexual dysfunction, Melbourne researchers say.

In addition, half of young women report they experience sexually related personal distress, which relates to feeling guilty, embarrassed, stressed or unhappy about their sex lives, the study by Monash University shows.

The researchers recruited almost 7000 women, aged 18-39, living in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, to complete a questionnaire assessing their sexual wellbeing in terms of desire, arousal, responsiveness, orgasm and self-image.

Professor Susan Davis, a senior author and professor of Women’s Health at Monash University, said the findings that one in five young women had a sexual dysfunction were of great concern, and showed the importance of doctors raising the topic of sexual health.