Sexual dysfunction assessment and hormonal correlations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Int J Impot Res. 2013 Jul-Aug;25(4):127-32. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2013.2. Epub 2013 Feb 14.

Abstract

In this controlled study, we aimed to evaluate the sexual dysfunction of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to healthy controls. We enrolled 64 sexually active women in our study. The PCOS group consisted of 32 women who met the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria, and the control group was composed of 32 age-matched, healthy females. In addition to the demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants, the hormonal and biochemical parameters were also studied. All patients were invited to fill out the female sexual function index (FSFI) and Beck's Depression Inventory questionnaires. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the PCOS group was similar to controls (25% vs 19%; P=0.54). No significant difference was found according to each domain score of FSFI. Significant negative correlations were found between the total FSFI scores of the PCOS group and the total (r=-0.278) and free testosterone (r=-0.493) levels. Although depressive scores of PCOS patients were higher, they did not show greater impaired sexual functions than age-matched controls according to their FSFI scores. Considering the multifactorial state of female sexual dysfunction, further studies are needed to clarify the impact of PCOS upon sexuality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Body Mass Index
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Hormones / blood*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / diagnosis*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / epidemiology
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / etiology
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / diagnosis*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Thyrotropin / blood

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hormones
  • Insulin
  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol
  • Prolactin
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • Thyrotropin