Intimacy and sexual life of females with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

IntroductionThe effects of cystic fibrosis (CF) on females’ sexuality have not been described. The aims of the present study were to describe and characterize sexual issues in females with CF. MethodsWe included adult (≥18 years) females with CF currently or previously in a sexual relationship from 11 adult CF centres in France. We collected quantitative data using a modified version of the self-administered Pelvic Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR). We performed one-to-one interviews using a semi-directive framework in volunteer females to further characterize the effects of CF on sexual life. We summarized answers to questionnaire as percentages and analysed interviews by theme according to discourse analysis method. ResultsBetween November 2019 and July 2021, 212 females completed the PISQR-IR, of whom 15 were interviewed. Of the females who completed the questionnaire, 93.4% were concerned about the discomfort, pain, or unpleasantness they experienced during sexual intercourse. The most frequent cause of sexual difficulties was a lack of vaginal lubrication (78.8%), followed by pain (74.1%) and discomfort. Interviews revealed sexual lives that were uncomfortable or painful, unsatisfying or avoided for most females, with a strong impression of being sexually different, incompetent, and betrayed by their bodies in terms of sexual desire. ConclusionSexual difficulties faced by females with CF are highly prevalent. Increasing awareness regarding sex life issues in females with CF appears necessary to improve their management by CF multidisciplinary teams.