Sexual Function and Contraception Use in Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Introduction: IBD likely influences sexual function in women. Prior studies show impaired sexual function in female IBD patients, pain during sexual intercourse, low desire, and difficulty attaining orgasm[1,2]. The aim of our study was to evaluate sexual function and contraceptive methods in IBD patients vs. controls. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Women & Infants Hospital of RI, Center for Women's Gastrointestinal Health. Women aged 18-45 with and without IBD completed a questionnaire that assessed 6 subdomains of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), similar to a study by Bel et al.1,3 Contraception and age at diagnosis were assessed, which have been previously studied in varying cohorts2,4. Results: Surveys were completed by 32 IBD patients and 45 controls. Total FSFI score did not vary significantly between IBD and control groups, but IBD patients scored lower than controls in all subdomains. Within the IBD group, a statistically significant correlation was found between age at diagnosis and sexual function. Patients diagnosed at age 16 or younger (N=4) scored lower than patients diagnosed at age 17 or older (N=20) in total FSFI score and in four subdomains (Table 1). Although no differences were found in contraception rates between IBD and control groups, IBD patients were more likely to have received a tubal ligation (Table 2). Conclusion: This study suggests that age at IBD diagnosis may be a determinant of future sexual function. Women with IBD were more likely to have a tubal ligation, suggesting that voluntary childlessness, found to be higher in IBD patients5, may have a role in decisions regarding contraception. A limitation of this study was sample size. The results of this study suggest that gastroenterologists can improve the sexual function and reproductive health of their female IBD patients through history and referral for psychological or sexual-therapeutic interventions.721_A Figure 1. Independent samples test for mean FSFI scores between IBD patients diagnosed at age 16 or younger vs. those diagnosed at age 17 or older721_B Figure 2. Chi-square test for differences in rates of tubal ligation in IBD Group vs. Control Group