Examination of sexual functions and depressive symptoms among infertile and fertile women.

Selda Ozturk,Hatice Kahyaoglu Sut,Leyla Kucuk

doi:10.12669/pjms.35.5.615

Abstract

Objective:To examine the sexual functions and depressive symptoms of infertile and fertile women.Methods:This study was conducted between October 2015 and April 2016 using a descriptive, cross-sectional and comparative design. The sample of this study consisted of 96 infertile and 96 fertile women. The data were collected using an information form, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Index of Female Sexual Function. The data were analyzed The Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Spearman’s correlation analysis.Results:The rate of sexual dysfunction (87.5% vs. 69.8%) and the Index of Female Sexual Function total score (31.8 ± 7.8 vs 35.7 ± 6.3) were significantly higher in infertile women than fertile women (p=0.003, p<0.001, respectively). The sexual satisfaction and discomfort during sexual intercourse subscales of the Index of Female Sexual Function were significantly lower among infertile women than fertile women (p<0.001 for all); however, no significant difference was observed in the sexual intercourse/libido score of the Index of Female Sexual Function between infertile and fertile women (p=0.590). The correlation coefficients between the Beck Depression Inventory total score and the total and subscale scores of the IFSF did not significantly differ between infertile and fertile women (p>0.05 for all).Conclusion:The sexual dysfunction rate among infertile women was higher than that among fertile women. Sexual functions decreased when depressive symptoms increased for both infertile and fertile women.

Highlights

Infertility is the failure of a couple to achieve pregnancy after at least one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.[1,2] According to the World Health Organization, the rate of infertile couples around the world is approximately between 8 and 12%.3 In a study conducted in Turkey by the Ministry of Health in 2014 reported that 4.8% of 6364 women were diagnosed with infertility.[4]Increased infertility due to various factors all over the world has negative effect on the desire and sexual function of the couples and the necessity of sexual intercourse in planned the times, and the couple causes the sexual problems to increase.[5]
Average Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) total and sub-dimension scores among infertile and fertile women are presented in Table-II
This study found that the incidence of sexual dysfunction among infertile women was higher than that among fertile women

Summary

Introduction

Increased infertility due to various factors all over the world has negative effect on the desire and sexual function of the couples and the necessity of sexual intercourse in planned the times, and the couple causes the sexual problems to increase.[5] In their studies conducted on infertile couples, Shindel et al (2008) detected 11% and 28% decreases in. In the case of infertility, negative effects such as depression, stress, sensitivity in personal communication and loneliness can occur among couples.[6] The couples’ loss of pleasure and interest in marriage and sexual intercourse combined with the lack of a desired pregnancy cause intense depressive symptoms.[8] Begum and Hasan compared the levels of depression among healthy and infertile groups and determined that depression was higher among the latter group.[9] After applying assisted reproduction techniques, Dilek and Beji determined that women experience more severe changes in sensation than men.[10]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion