Sexual Aspects of Women with Turner's Syndrome

Abstract

Objective:The Phenotypical characteristics of women with Turner's Syndrome (TS) are well documented but information on their psychosocial communication is considerably poorer. Design: The purpose of the present study was to assess the aspects of sexual life in 176 women with TS older than 18 years in Poland and to compare them with Polish women in general as well as with TS women in western European countries. Setting: Sexual attraction, initiation of sexual activity, age of sexual initiation, sensation of orgasm, reasons for not initiating sexual activity, marital status and marriage stability were analysed. Methods: Direct questioning method. Results: 81,8% of TS women feel sexual attraction, 29,5% initiate sexual activity, mean age of sexual initiation is approximately 22,7 + 0,5 years, and 69,2% have orgasms. 18.2% of TS women had stable marriages. Women with TS differ from healthy Polish women is general in having a lesser interest in males, less frequent sexual activity, later initiation of sexual activity and a less frequent orgasm rate. The most frequent reason for reduced sexual activity is lack of a regular partner. Fewer women get married but their marriages are more stable. TS women differ from TS women in western European countries in less frequent sexual activity, later sexual initiation but greater orgastic capacity. They show a greater interest in males, more get married and their marriages are characterised by greater stability. Conclusion: 1. In spite of significant hormonal abnormalities, sexual activity in women with Turner's Syndrome is not completely avoided. 2. The quality of sexual life of the studied women with TS is differentiated in comparison to women from the general population and TS women from other countries and depends on the analysed parameter.