International Journal of Fertility and Sterility (Oct 2024)

Does Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction Differ among Infertile Patients with or without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Pouria Khashayar,
  • Masoomeh Pourghayoomi,
  • Elham Sharafi,
  • Ladan Kashani,
  • Nooshin Shirzad,
  • Mahboobeh Hemmatabadi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22074/ijfs.2023.2005240.1486
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 4
pp. 367 – 372

Abstract

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Background: While the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility on women’s health have oftenbeen discussed, not many studies have assessed the other complications of infertility. One of these complications isfemale sexual dysfunction (FSD), a range of psychosexual disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalenceof FSD in PCOS and its comparison with other causes of infertility.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, two questionnaires were filled out by two groups (60 peopleeach) of infertile patients, due to PCOS and other causes, referred to Arash Women’s Hospital from December 2018to 2019. The data was analyzed in SPSS software to evaluate the frequency of FSD in the whole study populationand each group separately as well as its relationship with age, history of pregnancy, the literacy level of the patient orspouse, body mass index (BMI), infertility duration, hirsutism, and acne.Results: The frequency of FSD in the study group had a significant inverse relationship with the women’s level ofeducation (P=0.044), although no such correlation was found with age, pregnancy history, spouse’s literacy level,BMI, duration of infertility, acne, and hirsutism. In the comparison group, there was a significant relationship betweenthe duration of infertility and FSD (P=0.002). The prevalence of FSD in the study and comparison groups was 43.1and 52%, respectively. The prevalence of FSD sub-domains in all categories, except for pain, was higher in the studygroup. PCOS, compared to other groups, presented at a relatively younger age.Conclusion: In the PCOS group, patients with lower education levels were more likely to suffer from FSD. This suggeststhe effect of education and awareness on the sexual performance of these people. No significant difference inFSD experience was found between PCOS and other groups.

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