Endocrine Connections (Sep 2021)
Lower sexual satisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multi-symptom disorder l inked with a range of metabolic and hormonal disturbances. Psychological and sexual aspects of PCOS also need to be considered. Objective of the study: This study aimed to assess sexual satisfaction (SS) in PCOS patients and eumenorrheic controls (CON). The relationships between SS, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and hormonal and metabo lic profiles were evaluated. Methods: In this study, 190 patients with PCOS (mean age 26.34 ± 5.47 y ears) and 197 age-matched CON (mean age 27.12 ± 4.97 years) were enrolled. Al l subjects completed Polish version of the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess hormonal, lipid, and glucose profiles. Anthropometric measures were collected. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was evaluated according to the IDF-AHA/NHLBI criteria. Results: Patients with PCOS and MS had lower SS vs non-MS-PCOS. There w ere no significant differences in the level of SS, presence of depressiv e symptoms, or HRQoL between PCOS and CON (P > 0.05). Negative correlations were found between the SS level and BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio i n PCOS women. However, overweight or obese PCOS women did not differ in SS levels vs no rmal-weight PCOS patients. The social dimension of WHOQOL-BREF was the only sign ificant predictor of SS in PCOS patients. Conclusions: SS in PCOS women appears to be undisturbed. However, MS in PCO S patients could negatively influence SS. The level of SS should be assesse d in PCOS women, especially if MS is present.
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