Women's Sexual Quality Of Life Research Articles

Psychological Predictors of Sexual Quality of Life Among Iranian Women With Vaginismus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of muscles around the vaginal and one of the most common sexual disorders among women. It is often associated with psychological problems, leading to poor sexual quality of life (SQOL). This study aimed to determine SQOL predictors in women with vaginismus. Methods In this cross-sectional study, convenience sampling was used to enroll 236 individuals with vaginismus among all women visiting sexual health clinics of Tehran, Iran in 2018. The data were collected using the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM). Results The mean (SD) SQOL score of the participants was 56.82 (20.18). There was a significant direct correlation between the participants’ self-esteem and their SQOL (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). However, the participants’ SQOL had significant inverse correlations with the variables of anxiety (r = − 0.48, p < 0.001) and depression (r = −0.47, p < 0.001). Based on the GLM results, the variables of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and duration of disorder predicted SQOL, and explained 42.3% of the variance of SQOL in the participants. Conclusion The results indicated that psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem are predictors of SQOL in women with vaginismus.

Effects of some characteristics of gynecological cancer diagnosis and treatment on women's sexual life quality.

Gynecological cancers can cause changes in women's sexual life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting sexual quality of life (SQoL) of women with gynecological cancer. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted on 276 women with gynecological cancers in Turkey. Information form and SQoL scale was used in the study. The data were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The SQoL mean score was 68.83 ± 21.17. There was no significant difference in the SQoL mean score according to the individual/sociodemographic characteristics or gynecological cancer-related characteristics. However, it was found that the difference was due to higher SQoL score in the group with a diagnosis time of 25 months and above (KW (Χ2) = 6.356, P = 0.046). The reason for significant difference in the SQoL mean score according to diagnosis over time might be that women adapted to cancer diagnosis. For this reason, the SQoL of women with a diagnosis time of < 25 months should be assessed and these women should be supported.

Deep Dyspareunia and Sexual Quality of Life in Women With Endometriosis.

IntroductionDeep dyspareunia occurs in half of women with endometriosis, a condition present in 10% of reproductive-age women and associated with negative effects on sexual quality of life (SQoL). However, women with endometriosis can have other clinical factors (eg, superficial dyspareunia, other pelvic pains, and psychological or pain conditions) possibly affecting SQoL.AimsTo determine whether deep dyspareunia is associated with SQoL in women with endometriosis, independent of potential confounders.MethodsThis study involved a prospective patient registry of women at a tertiary-level referral center for endometriosis and pelvic pain. Inclusion criteria were (i) referrals to the center recruited into the registry from January 2014 through December 2016 and (ii) subsequent surgery at the center with histologic confirmation of endometriosis. Exclusion criteria included menopausal status, age at least 50 years, never sexually active, or did not answer dyspareunia or SQoL questions. Bi-variable tests and multiple linear regression analysis were performed.Main Outcome MeasuresSQoL measured by the 5-item sexual intercourse subscale of the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) modular questionnaire (0–100%, with higher scores indicating worse SQoL).ResultsConsent rate for the prospective registry was 87%; 277 women met the study criteria (mean age = 34.2 ± 7.1 years). Most women had stage I to II endometriosis at time of surgery (64%), with the remaining having stage III to IV endometriosis. Through regression analysis, worse SQoL (higher EHP-30 sexual intercourse subscale score) was independently associated with: more severe deep dyspareunia (P < .0001), more severe superficial dyspareunia (P < .0001), increased depression (P < .001), higher pain catastrophizing (P = .04), bladder pain syndrome (P = .02), heterosexual orientation (P < .001), and new referral status (P = .02).ConclusionIn women with endometriosis at a tertiary referral center, more severe deep dyspareunia was associated with worse SQoL, independent of superficial dyspareunia, psychological comorbidities, and other potential confounders.Shum LK, Bedaiwy MA, Allaire C, et al. Deep Dyspareunia and Sexual Quality of Life in Women With Endometriosis. Sex Med 2018;6:224–233.

Sexual satisfaction and quality of life in survivors of localized cervical and ovarian cancers following fertility-sparing surgery

ObjectiveTo determine if sexual satisfaction and sexual quality of life (QOL) are different in survivors of localized cervical and ovarian cancers who undergo fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) as compared with standard surgery. Methods470 survivors of localized cervical and ovarian cancers diagnosed between the ages of 18–40 were recruited from the California Cancer Registry to complete a cross-sectional survey. Validated questionnaires were used to assess sexual satisfaction and sexual QOL. Results228 women with localized cervical cancer and 125 with localized ovarian cancer completed the survey. In the cervical cancer group, 92 underwent FSS. Compared with the 84 women who did not undergo FSS (had a hysterectomy, but retained at least one ovary), there was no significant difference in sexual satisfaction or sexual QOL mean scores in women who maintained their uterus (cold-knife cone or trachelectomy), after controlling for age and menopausal status. 82 women with ovarian cancer underwent FSS. Compared with the 39 women that had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, we found no significant differences in sexual satisfaction or sexual QOL in women who maintained at least one ovary (USO or cystectomy), after controlling for age and menopausal status. ConclusionsWhile FSS may allow for post-treatment fertility, it may not confer a significant benefit with regard to sexual satisfaction or sexual QOL. Thus, the decision to perform FSS should not be dictated based on preservation of sexual functioning.

Quality of Sexual Life in Married Women: Its Factor Structure and Determinants

Purpose: This study was examined the quality of the sexual life among married women in terms of the factor structure of Sexual Quality of Life(SQOL) and evaluated the predictive value of 11 variables for SQOL. Method: Two hundred and ninety-three married women completed the Korean version SQOL scale with information on age, education, length of marriage, family income, health, sexual knowledge, coital frequency, harmony with family members, levels of affection, and general and sexual communication. Data were analysed with principal components and regression analyses. Result: The SQOL scale had two clearly defined factors, Negative Quality of Sexual Life and Positive Quality of Sexual Life, on which all scale items were significantly loaded, accounting for 54.3% of the total variance. Independent regression analysis showed all variables except education to be significant predictors of SQOL with interpersonal variables (general and sexual communication, affection and harmony with family members) being the most powerful predictors. However when the 11 variables were combined together in stepwise analysis, only 6 variables (general communication, age, affection, coital frequency, sexual knowledge and health) were significant, accounting for 39% of the total variance. Conclusion: The Korean version SQOL scale is a good measure to tackle SQOL in married women. To enhance SQOL, strengthening interpersonal interaction focusing on general/sexual communication, affection and harmony with family members seems to be more important than sexual activities and personal characteristics.