The manic and hypomanic phases in bipolar disorder and female sexuality in early adulthood

Abstract

Background: Despite the fact that a change in sexual behaviour is considered an integral part of bipolar disorder, hardly any literature on sexual problems in women with this disease is available. Aim: The study aimed to determine whether there is an association between manic/hypomanic phases and sexual dysfunction and alcohol use, and to test for differences between the control and study groups. Materials and methods: The study involved 590 women from Poland, aged 19–40 years. The control group consisted of 538 and the bipolar disorder group of 52 subjects. The study used the Female Sexual Function Index and two original questionnaires: the Questionnaire of Sexual Risk Behaviour (Cronbach’s alpha 0.7) and the Questionnaire of Manic/Hypomanic Phases (Cronbach’s alpha 0.89). Data were analysed by Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient and Mann–Whitney U test of differences. Results: The study showed a relationship between the manic/hypomanic phase and a decrease in dysfunction in the area of orgasm, and a relationship between the frequency of alcohol consumption and engaging in homosexual behaviours. Women with bipolar disorder were more likely to engage in risky behaviours than women in the control group, and showed higher ratings of dysfunction of the desire and arousal areas as well as higher overall ratings of sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: There is a need for ongoing research in this topic area to develop the field of sexual symptomatology in bipolar disorder in relation to current sexual, cultural, and gender norms.