More than just bad sex: sexual dysfunction and distress in patients with endometriosis

N Fritzer, Dietmar Haas, Peter Oppelt, Stefan P. Renner, Daniela Hornung, Monika Wölfler, U. Ulrich, G. Fischerlehner, Martin Sillem, Gernot Hudelist
In: Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde · 2014 · vol. 74(05) · doi:10.1055/s-0034-1374743 · W2316300242
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 8 in-corpus citations
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This study found that dyspareunia in endometriosis patients is strongly correlated with sexual dysfunction, reduced sexual frequency, and negative psychological impacts on relationships and self-perception.

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This multicentre cohort study evaluated the prevalence and impact of sexual dysfunction and distress in 125 patients with histologically proven endometriosis and dyspareunia. Researchers utilized standardized questionnaires to assess female sexual function, distress, psychological parameters, and pain intensity during intercourse. The results indicated that sexual dysfunction and distress were prevalent, with significant correlations observed between sexual impairment, pain levels, reduced frequency of intercourse, and negative psychological outcomes such as guilt and diminished feelings of femininity. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically examining how dyspareunia associated with the condition leads to severe impairments in sexual function, interpersonal relationships, and psychological wellbeing.

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Abstract

Objektive: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence and the impact of sexual dysfunction, sexual distress and interpersonal relationships in patients with endometriosis. Methods: A questionnaire-based multicentre cohort study was conducted in eight tertiary referral centres in Austria and Germany. One hundred and twenty-five patients with histologically proven endometriosis and dyspareunia were included. The Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale were used to screen women's sexuality. Additionally, we evaluated psychological parameters and pain intensity during/after sexual intercourse via a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Female sexual distress and sexual dysfunction were observed in 97/125 and 40/125 patients. Statistically significant correlations were found between sexual dysfunction and pain intensity during/after sexual intercourse (p < 0.01/p < 0.01), a lower number of episodes of sexual intercourse per month (p < 0.01), greater feelings of guilt towards the partner (p < 0.01) and fewer feelings of femininity (p < 0.01). Thirty-eight out of 125 women agreed that the primary motivation for sexual intercourse was to conceive and nearly half of women (46%) included stated that satisfying the partner acted as primary motivation for sexual contact. Conclusion: Overall, our findings demonstrate that dyspareunia as a common complaint in patients with endometriosis causes a severe impairment of sexual function, relationship and psychological wellbeing.
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Subscribe to RSS DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1374743 More than just bad sex: sexual dysfunction and distress in patients with endometriosis Objektive: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence and the impact of sexual dysfunction, sexual distress and interpersonal relationships in patients with endometriosis. Methods: A questionnaire-based multicentre cohort study was conducted in eight tertiary referral centres in Austria and Germany. One hundred and twenty-five patients with histologically proven endometriosis and dyspareunia were included. The Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale were used to screen women's sexuality. Additionally, we evaluated psychological parameters and pain intensity during/after sexual intercourse via a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Female sexual distress and sexual dysfunction were observed in 97/125 and 40/125 patients. Statistically significant correlations were found between sexual dysfunction and pain intensity during/after sexual intercourse (p < 0.01/p < 0.01), a lower number of episodes of sexual intercourse per month (p < 0.01), greater feelings of guilt towards the partner (p < 0.01) and fewer feelings of femininity (p < 0.01). Thirty-eight out of 125 women agreed that the primary motivation for sexual intercourse was to conceive and nearly half of women (46%) included stated that satisfying the partner acted as primary motivation for sexual contact. Conclusion: Overall, our findings demonstrate that dyspareunia as a common complaint in patients with endometriosis causes a severe impairment of sexual function, relationship and psychological wellbeing.

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Condition tags

endometriosisdyspareunia

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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