Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction in Brazilian Women with Infertility Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment

Abstract

Purpose: The increase in infertility around the world has a negative impact on sexual desire and function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of sexual dysfunction in women diagnosed with infertility, comparing them with healthy controls. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on online questionnaire. Infertile women and healthy controls filled a questionnaire about epidemiological and assisted reproduction data. The infertile patients answered the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaires to assess sexual performance, physical, and mental health. The control group answered only to the FSFI. Results: The survey was completed by 357 subjects: 157 infertility patients and 200 matched controls. All medians of the FSFI domains of patients in the infertility group are lower (p=0.036) when compared to controls, especially the scores in the arousal and lubrication domains (p=0.003 and p<0.0001, respectively). In this group, most are in good physical health and half are in good mental health. The depression rate was 12.7%. Patients who have depression have worse FSFI scores (p=0.009). Depression and sexual dysfunction were experienced by 27.4% (n=17) patients (p<0.0001). Worse mental health was related to patients at higher risk for sexual dysfunction (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In our sample of women undergoing infertility treatment, we found that the FSFI scores were significantly lower than in the control group, mainly in the arousal and lubrication domains. Additionally, it was found that the worse the mental health, the greater the possibility of sexual dysfunction in this group.