Genital tract abnormalities and female sexual function impairment in systemic sclerosis

Bhadauria, Sushma; Moser, Debra K.; Clements, Philip J.; Singh, Ram Raj; Lachenbruch, Peter A.; Pitkin, Roy M.; Weiner, Saul J.

doi:10.1016/0002-9378(95)90576-6

Cited by 85 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Cutaneous thickening of the hips and limbs, articular contractures and muscular weakness, especially in those patients with dSSc, contribute to the great difficulty in maintaining an active sexual life in scleroderma patients. Bhadauria et al [9], analysing 67 SSc patients, reported dyspareunia in 14% of them before the onset of SSc and 56% after disease onset. Cutaneous xerosis is a frequent complaint in scleroderma patients, associated with the skin thickening and the atrophy of the sebaceous and sweat glands in the affected areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…A recent study designed to address the female genital tract abnormalities and associated functional problems in a group of 60 SSc patients reported a higher incidence of genital tract abnormalities (vaginal dryness, dyspareunia and ulcerations) and a decrease in the number and intensity of orgasms, compared to controls [9]. No statistical difference was observed in the age at menopause in SSc patients compared to normal controls [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Gynaecologic History in Systemic Sclerosis

Sampaio-Barros

Sâmara

Neto

2000

Clinical Rheumatology

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The aim of the study was to analyse the gynaecologic history of 150 Brazilian patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) by comparing the outcome of the pregnancies before and after disease onset and in the two clinical variants of SSc, as well as to assess the effects of the pregnancy on the progress of the disease. A retrospective analysis was carried out of 150 female SSc patients, more than 18 years old, who attended the outpatient clinic of the Unit of Rheumatology of the State University of Campinas. The patients were questioned about the number of pregnancies, deliveries (full-term infants, premature births and twins) and fetal deaths (spontaneous abortions and perinatal deaths). These data were subdivided into pregnancies before and after SSc onset. In those gestations started after disease onset the patients were questioned about the evolution of SSc during the pregnancy. The patients were also asked about dyspareunia and the age at menopause. Thirty-two patients (21 %) had never been pregnant, and only five of them were considered infertile. One hundred and eighteen patients (79%) had a total of 406 pregnancies, with an average of 3.4 per patient; there were 364 pregnancies before and 42 after SSc onset. There were 58 fetal deaths (14% of the pregnancies), 50 of these occurring before and eight after disease onset; 55 were spontaneous abortions and the other three were perinatal deaths. The fertility rate was higher in the limited SSc (3.6) than in the diffuse SSc patients (3.1), although the percentage of fetal deaths and the evolution of SSc during the pregnancy were similar in the two clinical variants. In the pregnancies that occurred after the onset of SSc, the clinical course remained stable in 72% of the cases, worsened in 14% and improved in 14%. Dyspareunia was mentioned by 49 patients (37% of those with an active sexual life). Menopause was reported by 72 patients, predominantly with limited SSc (61 patients). The fertility rate in the postmenopausal SSc patients was 3.9, similar to that observed in general postmenopausal population in Brazil. The analysis of the gynaecologic history in this series of SSc patients showed no increased risk in infertility or spontaneous abortions. The fertility rate in the two SSc clinical variants was higher than that observed in the local global population. Most of the patients who became pregnant after the onset of SSc showed no signs of worsening during the course of the disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gynaecologic History in Systemic Sclerosis

Sampaio-Barros

Sâmara

Neto

2000

Clinical Rheumatology

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“…Previous researchers have tended to investigate the impact of chronic physical illness on women's ability to perform sexually (i.e., sexual drive, vaginal lubrication, and orgasmic attainment), whereas women's satisfaction with their sex lives has not received adequate attention (for exceptions see Bhadauria et al, 1995;Majerovitz & Revenson, 1994;Yoshino & Uchida, 1981). Trieschmann (1982) noted the importance of distinguishing sexual intercourse from other aspects of sexuality.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Body Image and Sexuality in Women With and Without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Seawell

Danoff–Burg

2005

Sex Roles

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The purpose of the present study was to investigate relationships among sexual dissatisfaction, body image, and physical and psychological functioning in 54 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a demographically similar comparison sample of 29 healthy women. For women with SLE, sexual dissatisfaction was positively correlated with fatigue, depressive symptoms, and feelings of physical attractiveness. No significant differences existed between women with SLE and healthy women with respect to sexual dissatisfaction or body image. Our results suggest that the impact of disease on body image and sexual dissatisfaction are greatest when levels of fatigue and depressive symptoms are high.

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“…On the other hand, rectal prolapse due to decreased anal sphincter pressure and rectal dysfunction has been reported in cases with scleroderma [4,5]. Relaxed vaginal outlet support was also reported in 5 (35%) of 14 systemic sclerosis women undergoing gynecological examination [6]. Although not proven, the constipation history of our patient may be related to rectal dysfunction and uterine prolapse to relaxed vaginal outlet support.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%