Sexual Dysfunction in Infertile Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common causes of infertility in women of reproductive age. It is a combination of chronic anovulation, obesity, and hyperandrogenism that may affect sexual function in women of reproductive age. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the sexual dysfunction, its frequency, and predisposing factors in infertile polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 infertile women with a definite diagnosis of PCOS. The study duration was 1 year, from August 2019 to August 2020. Data was collected chronologically by interview, physical examination, and laboratory investigations using a structured questionnaire. The presence of hirsutism was assessed using the modified Ferriman–Gallwey (mFG) scoring system. Sexual function was assessed in the domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain using the female sexual function index (FSFI). Patients were also assessed for mental health by the depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21). Results: Sexual dysfunction was present in 65.4% of patients with the domains of orgasm and arousal were particularly affected (92.9% and 90.0%, respectively). In this study, age and BMI had a significant negative correlation ([Formula: see text] = − 0.55 and [Formula: see text] = − 0.42, respectively) with sexual function. Increasing age and BMI resulted in a significant reduction in sexual function ( [Formula: see text] 0.001 each), including all domains. Patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety were significantly more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction than those without these symptoms ([Formula: see text] = 0.041 and [Formula: see text] = 0.001, respectively). Hirsutism, serum testosterone (total) level, and stress were found to have no significant effect on sexual function. Conclusions: Infertile patients with PCOS markedly suffer from sexual dysfunction. Improvement of sexual dysfunction not only improves sexuality and quality of life, but also may improve fertility outcomes in infertile PCOS patients.