Sexual function in women with primary and secondary infertility in comparison with controls

Abstract

Infertility is a distressing health condition that has diverse effects on couples' lives. One of the most affected aspects of life in infertile women is sexual function, which is a key factor in physical and marital health. The goal of this study was to evaluate sexual function according to the type of infertility in comparison with controls. In this study, 191 women with primary infertility and 129 with secondary infertility along with 87 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. They were asked to fill a valid and reliable FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index). Age, partner age and duration of marriage were significantly different between the primary and secondary infertility groups. The score of each FSFI domain was significantly higher in the control group, and the only significant difference between primary and secondary infertility groups was in the desire domain. Multiple linear regression analysis between the total FSFI score as a dependent variable and age, partner age, Body Mass Index and marriage duration as independent variables showed that age is a dependent predictor of FSFI in the primary group. We found significant negative correlation between total FSFI score and age, partner age and marriage duration (r1=-0.21 and P<0.001, r2=-0.14 and P=0.01, r3=-0.19 and P<0.001). Sexual dysfunction is high in all infertile women, and women with secondary infertility suffer more from impaired sexual function compared with those with primary infertility.

The Sexual Impact of Infertility Among Women Seeking Fertility Care

“…The literature on sexual well-being for women with primary vs secondary infertility has shown conflicting results. Some studies have reported higher levels of sexual dysfunction with secondary infertility10, 12; however, other studies have reported improved emotional state and better social relationships with secondary infertility 14 . The difficulty in comparing our study with those cited is that many other studies have included broad outcome measurements that take into account the social, marital, and personal impacts of infertility.…”

“…Linear variables such as duration of infertility were grouped to make all variables categorical for the regression analysis. In addition, we included duration of marriage and previous biological child because those have been shown to affect sexual well-being 10, 12, 14. Although actual and perceived infertility etiologies were statistically different from each other (χ 2  = 214, P < .01), we judged that the perceived infertility etiology might better reflect the psychosocial state of the participant and therefore be a better predictor of sexual impact.…”

“…In light of this new knowledge, it is not surprising that there has been an increased awareness of female sexual dysfunction and the development of novel approaches to treatment. Numerous studies have demonstrated that infertile couples have significantly higher rates of sexual dysfunction than healthy controls 6, 9, 10, 11, 12. Similarly, it has been established that those with secondary infertility have more sexual dysfunction compared with those with primary infertility 10, 12.…”

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that infertile couples have significantly higher rates of sexual dysfunction than healthy controls 6, 9, 10, 11, 12. Similarly, it has been established that those with secondary infertility have more sexual dysfunction compared with those with primary infertility 10, 12. To date, however, no studies have stratified the sexual impact of infertility by demographic or clinical characteristics, including infertility etiology.…”

İnfertilite ve yaşam kalitesi: Sistematik derleme

“…kadınlarda intihar girişimi sağlıklı kadınlara göre iki kat daha fazla görülmektedir. [18] Yaşanılan tüm bu psikososyal ve duygusal zorlanmalar nedeniyle infertil kadınların fertil kadınlara göre yaşam kalitesi daha düşük olmaktadır. Özellikle kadınlığın doğurganlık ile özdeşleştirildiği toplumlarda infertilite tanısı, sosyal izolasyona, stigma duygusuna ve özgüven kaybına neden olmaktadır.…”