Effect of psychosocial trauma and stress on sexual dysfunction in women with endometriosis

Abstract

Background:Endometrial tissue plays an important role in the regulation of female fertility and there is evidence that endometrial pathology (including endometriosis) is closely related to endocrine disorders. On the other hand, various neuroendocrine changes can be significantly affected by psychosocial stress. In connection with these findings, we tested the relationship between neuroendocrine changes, sexual dysfunction, psychosocial/traumatic stress, and dissociative symptoms in women with endometriosis.Methods:A total of 65 patients with endometriosis were included in the study. Clinical examinations were focused on the biochemical analysis of neuroendocrine markers of endometriosis (cancer antigen 125 [CA 125] and cancer antigen 19-9 [CA 19-9]), estradiol, psychometric evaluation of sexual dysfunction, psychosocial/traumatic stress, and dissociative symptoms.Results:The results showed significant Spearman correlations between the values of the revised range of sexual difficulties for sexual dysfunction (Revised Female Sexual Distress Scale), psychosocial/traumatic stress (Trauma Symptoms Checklist) (R = 0.31), and dissociative symptoms (Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire) (R = 0.33). Positive correlations were also found between CA 125 and CA 19-9 (R = 0.63), and between CA 125 and the results of the values of the revised scale of sexual difficulties for sexual dysfunction (Revised Female Sexual Distress Scale) (R = 0.29). Also psychosocial/traumatic stress (Trauma Symptoms Checklist) significantly correlated with CA 125 (R = 0.38) and with CA 19-9 (R = 0.33).Conclusion:These results represent the first findings regarding the relationship of the neuroendocrine markers CA 125 and CA 19-9 and sexual dysfunction with trauma/stress-related symptoms and dissociative symptoms in women with endometriosis.

Association Between Endometriosis and Mental Disorders Including Psychiatric Disorders, Suicide, and All-Cause Mortality -A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

“… 75 Besides, a meta-analysis suggests a bidirectional association between depression and sexual dysfunction. 77 However, we do not take sexual dysfunction into consideration in our study.…”

Female Sexual Dysfunctions and Urogynecological Complaints: A Narrative Review

“…Dysmenorrhea, persistent pelvic pain, dyschezia, and profound dyspareunia are all kinds of pelvic discomfort that are linked to endometriosis [ 19 ]. About 50% of women with endometriosis have deep dyspareunia, which can lead to sexual dysfunction and have a detrimental effect on relationships [ 20 ]. Because deep dyspareunia is not always successfully treated with conventional hormonal and surgical treatments for endometriosis, a deeper knowledge of the pathophysiology and related variables that cause deep dyspareunia is required [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…About 50% of women with endometriosis have deep dyspareunia, which can lead to sexual dysfunction and have a detrimental effect on relationships [ 20 ]. Because deep dyspareunia is not always successfully treated with conventional hormonal and surgical treatments for endometriosis, a deeper knowledge of the pathophysiology and related variables that cause deep dyspareunia is required [ 19 , 20 ]. It has recently been suggested that other comorbid conditions (such as painful bladder syndrome), myofascial contributors, and central sensitization of the nervous system may be significant in the pathophysiology of deep dyspareunia in endometriosis, in addition to endometriosis-specific factors (e.g., stage, location, and depth of invasion) [ 19 ].…”

Exploration of the core protein network under endometriosis symptomatology using a computational approach

“…Endometriosis symptoms are associated with substantial reductions in quality of life (9,10). Living with severe cyclic or continuous pelvic pain can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and absenteeism from work (11,12).…”