NOBODY SPEAKS ABOUT THIS: FERTILITY TREATMENTS AND ITS IMPACT ON COUPLES SEXUALITY

Abstract

To analyze the impact of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) on couples sexuality. 150 anonymous surveys were delivered to couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies in our fertility center. Equal couples, single women and women who were performing fertility preservation were excluded. This is a cross-sectional observational descriptive study performed from July 2019 to March 2020. 98 surveys were analyzed (72 women and 26 men). Average age was 36 years (+/-6 years). Mean time of infertility was 2.5 years. Time they were carrying out any treatment was 1.2 years. 47% of the women and 88.5% of the men performed intrauterine inseminations; the remaining, carried out In Vitro Fertilization. 51% of the patients reported some comorbidity: smoking (30.8% men vs 12.8% women). 35.7% reported at least one miscarriage. 48.6% of the women and 42.3% of the men reported a negative effect regarding their sexuality (15% did not answer). 23.4% of the women had lower sexual desire, while most of the men reported no changes in desire (84.6% men vs 55.5% women). 49% of the women reported less frequency of sexual intercourse rhythm. Level of satisfaction remained the same as before treatment in 83% of the patients. 78.7% did not have any change to achieve orgasm; however, 23.6% of the women and 7.7% of the men reported more difficulties than before treatment. Sexual intercourse discomfort (fear of pain, intercourse by medical indication, targeting of genital encounters focused on achieving pregnancy): was higher in women. In the women, the most frequent feelings were: anxiety (32%), optimism (28%), irritability (14%) and distress (8%). Men mostly did not express changes. ART have a negative impact on sexuality, being greater in the group of women. Sexual dysfunctions can be a cause or a consequence of infertility. Infertility can affect many psychological aspects of people, such as self-esteem, satisfaction with life, humor and social relationships. Infertility is a disease of the couple, and it is the couple that must be treated. Multidisciplinary accompaniment is usually recommended to lower sexual difficulties and improve reproductive results.