Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yujie Zhang, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Ziyue Liu, Qian Han, Han Q, Wei Z, Zhijie Wei, Yanting Jiang, Jiang Y, Liwei Cui, Cui L, Wang M, Meng Wang, Li H, Hui Li
Sexual medicine reviews · 2026 · vol. 14(3) · doi:10.1093/sxmrev/qeag049 · PMID:42647845 · W7204462219
meta-analysis OA: closed public-domain-us
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This meta-analysis of 4185 patients with endometriosis found a 62.5% prevalence of sexual dysfunction, which was significantly higher in those with moderate or severe disease, pelvic pain, and in studies published after 2020.

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Abstract

AIM: To systematically assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among patients suffering from endometriosis. METHODS: A literature search was carried out using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang from the inception of the databases until July of the year 2025 for literature related to the topic of sexual dysfunction among patients with endometriosis. After screening the literature and extracting the data information, the analysis was carried out using the Stata version 17.1 software. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included, enrolling a total of 4185 participants with endometriosis. Meta-analysis indicated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among patients with endometriosis was 62.5% (95% CI, 54.6-70.4). Subgroup analysis showed a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in studies published after 2020 (71.0%) than in those published before 2020 (53.9%) (Q = 7.43, P = .006). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was relatively higher among patients with moderate or severe endometriosis (69.8 vs. 38.2, Q = 16.04, P < .001). Similarly, the prevalence was also significantly higher among patients with pelvic pain (74.2 vs. 35.1, Q = 4.56, P = .033). Univariable and multivariable meta-regression analyses revealed that only publication year (β = 0.21, P = .018) was a significant influencing factor for sexual dysfunction in patients with endometriosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is relatively high among patients with endometriosis. And the prevalence rate has increased significantly in recent years. It is particularly elevated in patients with greater disease severity and those experiencing pelvic pain. It is suggested that corresponding intervention measures be actively taken to effectively prevent or reduce the occurrence of sexual dysfunction in patients with endometriosis.

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MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological Female Female Female Female

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.

References (58)

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