Quality of life and sexual satisfaction in women suffering from endometriosis: An Italian preliminary study

Abstract

Summary Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disease that affects women during the reproductive age, and may compromise their quality of life (QoL) and sexual satisfaction. Few data are available on women affected by pelvic endometriosis in the absence of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Aim of the study To evaluate QoL and sexual satisfaction in a group of Italian women affected by pelvic endometriosis identifying specific sociodemographic variables that could impact on the individual perception of the disease. Method A survey was conducted on 150 women with pelvic endometriosis, recruited at the University hospital of Rome. The control group included 150 healthy women matched for age and relational status. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Italian versions of the WHOQOL-Bref and McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) and the Visual Analogue Scale were administered to participants. Results Our data show that the experimental group obtained a lower score than the control group in the questionnaire total scores and, specifically, in the physical, psychological and social relationships domains (WHOQOL) and in the sexuality domain (MFSQ). A positive and significant correlation was observed between relational status and the MSFQ total score. No significant correlation emerged between pain intensity and sociodemographic variables, total scores and subscales of the MSFQ and WHOQOL-BREF. Discussion and conclusion Our results showed that the disease has a negative impact on many areas of the overall functioning and sexuality quality of life of women. Nevertheless, the existence of mediatory variables emerged, emphasising how the presence of a partner could be considered a protective value in the experience of pain, therefore stressing the need to adopt a bio-psychosocial perspective to study and fully understand the disease.