Endometriosis decreases female sexual function and increases pain severity: a meta-analysis

Can Shi, Shi C, Xu H, Hongge Xu, Zhang T, Ting Zhang, Yingchun Gao, Gao Y
Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2022 · vol. 307(1) , pp. 195–204 · doi:10.1007/s00404-022-06478-4 · PMID:35275272 · W4220749234
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This meta-analysis found that women with endometriosis had significantly lower scores on the Female Sexual Function Index and increased pain severity for dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain.

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This meta-analysis examined the effects of endometriosis on female sexual function by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies comparing women with and without endometriosis, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and/or visual analog scale (VAS) measures of pain. Across six included publications, women with endometriosis had significantly lower FSFI total scores and domain scores (including desire, arousal, pain, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction) and higher VAS severity for dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain. No significant difference was found for dysmenorrhea severity, and the authors report that region was not a source of heterogeneity, publication bias was not detected in all included studies, and sensitivity analyses for key indexes were stable, supporting reliability. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it synthesizes evidence linking endometriosis with decreased female sexual function and increased dyspareunia/chronic pelvic pain.

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Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the effects of endometriosis on female sexual function.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to analyze the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or visual analog scale (VAS) scores between women with and without endometriosis. Data from publications were generated, and the sexual function of women with and without endometriosis was systematically evaluated.ResultsA total of six publications were included in the study. The FSFI total score and its six domains were significantly lower in women with endometriosis: FSFI total score (P < 0.001), desire (P = 0.045), arousal (P = 0.039), pain domains (P < 0.001), lubrication (P < 0.001), orgasm (P = 0.001), and satisfaction (P < 0.001). Women with endometriosis exhibited more severity in terms of VAS scores for dyspareunia (P = 0.008) and chronic pelvic pain (P < 0.001); however, no significant severity for dysmenorrhea was observed (P = 0.118). Subgroup analysis showed that the region was not a source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was not noted in all included studies, and most results of the sensitivity analysis for the included indexes were stable, which implied that our results were relatively reliable.ConclusionThe present meta-analysis provided evidence that endometriosis decreased female sexual function and increased the pain severity of dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain.
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Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to explore the effects of endometriosis on female sexual function.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to analyze the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or visual analog scale (VAS) scores between women with and without endometriosis. Data from publications were generated, and the sexual function of women with and without endometriosis was systematically evaluated.

Results

A total of six publications were included in the study. The FSFI total score and its six domains were significantly lower in women with endometriosis: FSFI total score (P < 0.001), desire (P = 0.045), arousal (P = 0.039), pain domains (P < 0.001), lubrication (P < 0.001), orgasm (P = 0.001), and satisfaction (P < 0.001). Women with endometriosis exhibited more severity in terms of VAS scores for dyspareunia (P = 0.008) and chronic pelvic pain (P < 0.001); however, no significant severity for dysmenorrhea was observed (P = 0.118). Subgroup analysis showed that the region was not a source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was not noted in all included studies, and most results of the sensitivity analysis for the included indexes were stable, which implied that our results were relatively reliable.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis provided evidence that endometriosis decreased female sexual function and increased the pain severity of dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain. Similar content being viewed by others Data availability Not applicable.

References

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Acknowledgements

Not applicable. Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Author information Authors and Affiliations Contributions CS and YG carried out the conception and design of the research, HX participated in the acquisition of data. TZ carried out the analysis and interpretation of data. CS participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. CS and YG conceived of the study, and participated in its design and coordination and helped to draft the manuscript and revision of manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Corresponding author Ethics declarations Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethical approval Not applicable. Consent to participate Not applicable. Consent to publish Not applicable. Additional information Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Supplementary Information Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material. Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Shi, C., Xu, H., Zhang, T. et al. Endometriosis decreases female sexual function and increases pain severity: a meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 307, 195–204 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-022-06478-4 Received: Accepted: Published: Version of record: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-022-06478-4

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Condition tags

dysmenorrheadyspareuniaendometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Female Female Humans Humans Pain Measurement Pain Measurement Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain

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