Qualitative and quantitative aspects of sex life in the context of endometriosis: a multicentre case control study

Bernays V, Valerie Bernays, Alexandra Kohl Schwartz, Schwartz AK, Kirsten Geraedts, Geraedts K, Martina Rauchfuß, Martina Rauchfuss, Rauchfuss M, Wölfler MM, Monika Wölfler, Monika Maria Wölfler, Felix Haeberlin, Haeberlin F, Stephanie von Orelli, von Orelli S, Markus Eberhard, Eberhard M, Imthurn B, Bruno Imthurn, Daniel Fink, Fink D, Imesch P, Patrick Imesch, Brigitte Leeners
Reproductive biomedicine online · 2019 · vol. 40(2) , pp. 296–304 · doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.10.015 · PMID:31954612 · W2982846118
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This multicenter case-control study explored the qualitative and quantitative aspects of sexual life among women with and without endometriosis.

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Abstract

Research questionWhat are the specific characteristics of sexual activity in women with endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis?DesignMulticentre case control study. Participants were recruited from university hospitals, district hospitals and doctor's offices in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. A total of 565 women with endometriosis were pair-matched to 565 control women by age and ethnic background. Diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by histology, and disease stage was classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. Data on sexuality were collected using selected questions from the Brief Index of Sexual Function and the Sexual History Form.ResultsAltogether, 69.1% of women with endometriosis and 77.8% of control women engaged in sexual activity during the month before the study period (P < 0.001). Overall, 42.3% of endometriosis-affected women and 30.5% of the control women desired a higher frequency of sexual activity (P < 0.001). Petting, foreplay and vaginal sexual intercourse were reported to be practised less often by women with endometriosis. Frequencies for masturbation, reciprocal masturbation, oral and anal sex were similar in both groups. Dyspareunia was negatively associated with sexual activity (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.63), whereas chronic pain showed no association with sexual activity (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.93, 1.96).ConclusionsWomen with endometriosis have lower frequencies of petting, foreplay and vaginal sexual intercourse than control women; this difference has to be attributed, at least in part, to dyspareunia. Potentially pain-free sexual options are used to a limited degree. As endometriosis-affected women desire higher levels of sexual activity, sexual counselling should be included in medical support.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Quality of Life Sexual Behavior Adult Case-Control Studies Endometriosis Female Humans Quality of Life Sexual Behavior Surveys and Questionnaires

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