Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction among Psoriatic Females: a Cross Sectional Case Controlled Study

Mohamed L. Elsaie, Noha S. Hanafy, Sherief Hussein, Ola Abu Zeid, Mohamed S. Zaky, Ramadan Mohamed Eldahshan, Hesham Nada, Osama Magdy Elshahat Sayedahmed, Yasmin El Zawahry
In: Dermatology Practical & Conceptual · 2023 · vol. 13(3) , pp. e2023209 · doi:10.5826/dpc.1303a209 · PMID:37557143 · W4385458286
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-07, 2026-07-16 ⓘ

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) prevalence was higher in women with psoriasis (47%) compared to controls (24%), with disease severity negatively impacting sexual function scores.

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This cross-sectional case-controlled study evaluated the prevalence and severity-related impact of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in 150 married women, including 100 psoriasis patients stratified by PASI severity (moderate: n=50; severe: n=50) and 50 age-matched controls. Participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), with disease severity assessed using PASI. FSD was reported more frequently in the psoriasis groups than in controls (47% overall in psoriasis, 24% in controls), and FSFI total scores were lower in the severe PASI group (22.34 ± 5.35) compared with both the moderate PASI group (26.24 ± 2.67) and controls (28.79 ± 2.22), with moderate PASI scores also lower than controls. A key limitation is that the study design is cross-sectional, assessing associations at a single time point without establishing causal effects. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Sexual relationships are an integral part of females psychological and physiological wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to identify prevalence and impact of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) in women affected with psoriasis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 married females who were interviewed to answer Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and were divided into two groups: the first group included 100 female patients complaining of psoriasis (50 suffering from moderate psoriasis and 50 with severe psoriasis). The disease severity was graded according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) while the second group included 50 age matched women who served as controls. RESULTS: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in psoriasis female groups was higher than that in the control group (47%, 24%, P < 0.05). The mean total scores of FSFI ranged from 12.30 to 34.20 and were significantly lower in the severe PASI affected group (22.34 ± 5.35) when compared to moderate PASI group (26.24 ± 2.67) or control group (28.79 ± 2.22). In addition, total scores were significantly lower among moderate PASI affected females when compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction should be routinely investigated in female patients with psoriasis in the case of moderate-severe disease due to its negative impact on quality of life. Further research over the effect of certain interventional programs on FSD should be considered for patients suffering from psoriasis.
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Keywords

female sexual dysfunction, marriage, autoimmune, psoriasis, femaleAbstract

Introduction

Sexual relationships are an integral part of females psychological and physiological wellbeing.

Objectives

The study aimed to identify prevalence and impact of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) in women affected with psoriasis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 married females who were interviewed to answer Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and were divided into two groups: the first group included 100 female patients complaining of psoriasis (50 suffering from moderate psoriasis and 50 with severe psoriasis). The disease severity was graded according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) while the second group included 50 age matched women who served as controls.

Results

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in psoriasis female groups was higher than that in the control group (47%, 24%, P < 0.05). The mean total scores of FSFI ranged from 12.30 to 34.20 and were significantly lower in the severe PASI affected group (22.34 ± 5.35) when compared to moderate PASI group (26.24 ± 2.67) or control group (28.79 ± 2.22). In addition, total scores were significantly lower among moderate PASI affected females when compared to control group.

Conclusions

Sexual dysfunction should be routinely investigated in female patients with psoriasis in the case of moderate-severe disease due to its negative impact on quality of life. Further research over the effect of certain interventional programs on FSD should be considered for patients suffering from psoriasis.

References

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Published Issue Section License Copyright (c) 2023 Mohamed Elsaie, Noha Hanafy, Sherief Hussein, ola abu zeid, Mohamed Zaky, Ramadan Eldahshan, Hesham Nada, Osama Elshaboury, Yasmin El Zawahry This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual applies a Creative Commons Attribution License (CCAL) to all works we publish (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Authors retain the copyright for their published work.

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