Changes in sexuality during ulipristal acetate treatment in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in sexuality in women treated with Ulipristal acetate (UPA) due to symptomatic uterine fibroids. Study designA total of 102 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids undergoing conservative therapy with UPA were enrolled in this observational study. Sexuality was evaluated before and after a three month UPA treatment using the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) as well as the Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ). Before treatment was initiated, participants additionally filled in a standardised questionnaire addressing the expected changes in sexuality due to UPA. Demographic parameters, expectations concerning changes in sexuality, and FSFI- and SAQ-scores were analysed. ResultsThe average age of the study collective was 42.3 years. For the majority of the included women (n = 70; 71.4%) sexuality was rated as an important issue and 86 women (87.8%) did not think that UPA would have an impact on the frequency of sexual intercourse, the quality (n = 91; 92.9%) or frequency of orgasms (n = 87; 88.8%) neither sexual receptivity (n = 88; 89.8%). Full data sets were available for 73 patients (71.6%). The FSFI showed significantly higher sub scores regarding desire (3.6 ± 1.2 vs. 3.9 ± 1.2; p = 0.0012) and arousal (4.2 ± 1.7 vs. 4.4 ± 1.9; p = 0.0151) as well as a higher total score (26.6 ± 9.0 vs. 27.4 ± 9.5; p = 0.0008) after UPA treatment. Regarding the SAQ a statistically significant difference regarding the subscore “habit” was found (p < 0.0001) comparing pre with post interventional scores. ConclusionSexuality in general seems to be important for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids. As the treatment with UPA appears to improve sexuality, this circumstance can be mentioned in a pre-therapeutic counselling.