Impact of endometriosis on the quality of sexual life of women of reproductive age in Poland

Impact of endometriosis on the quality of sexual life of women of reproductive age in Poland DOI: https://doi.org/10.15503/emet2023.79.92Keywords: Endometriosis, quality of life, sexuality, dyspareunia, sexual attractive- ness, sexual activityAbstract Aim. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact of endometriosis on the quality of sexual life of women in Poland, through a comparative analysis of a population of healthy women and those struggling with the condition. Methods. The study was conducted using the validated FSFI questionnaire and the author’s supplementary questions. Information about the survey was made available on social networks and groups for women with endometriosis, as well as to healthy women constituting a control group. The CAWI technique was used in the study. The survey consisted of questions divided into mod- ules: metric data, having endometriosis and previous treatment, sexuality before and after possible treatment, and for healthy women - current assessment of the quality of sexual life. Results. Endometriosis negatively affects the quality of sexual life of women of reproductive age in Poland. Decreased quality of sexual life occurring in women with endometriosis indicates the presence of clinically significant sexual dysfunctions. Dyspareunia (a type of sexual dysfunction that manifests itself as pain during intercourse (Lew-Starowicz, Lew-Starowicz, & Skrzypulec-Plinta, 2020)) is signifi- cantly more common in women with endometriosis than in healthy women in Poland. 69 percentage points more women indicate the presence of dyspareunia when suffering from endometriosis compared to healthy women. Treatment reduces pain symptoms in women suffering from endometriosis. 24 per- centage points more women show no symptoms of dyspareunia after treatment, compared to women before treatment. The presence of endometriosis does not significantly affect women’s sense of sexual at- tractiveness. Women with endometriosis, despite the presence of pain, engage in sexual activity as often as healthy women. Treatment of endometriosis, both pharmacological and surgical, increases the quality of sexual life of women of reproductive age in Poland. Downloads References Bacz, A. (2017) Endometrioza. Medycyna Praktyczna [Practical Medicine]. https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/ginekologia/choroby/88290,endometrioza. Basta, A., Brucka, A., Górski, J., et al. (2012). Stanowisko zespołu ekspertów Polskiego To- warzystwa Ginekologicznego dotyczące diagnostyki i metod leczenia endometriozy [opinion of a team of experts of the Polish Gynecological Society regarding the diagno- sis and treatment of endometriosis]. 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