History of infertility and sexual dysfunction in midlife women: Is there a link?

Abstract

Abstract Background Infertility has been linked with an increased risk of sexual dysfunction in reproductive-aged women, with longer periods of infertility associated with a greater risk. Aim The study’s aim was to examine whether a history of infertility treatment in women is linked to sexual dysfunction during midlife. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted among sexually active women, between the ages of 45 and 65 years, who sought consultation at the women’s health clinics at a US tertiary care center. History of infertility treatment was assessed with a single question that asked participants if they were treated for infertility in the past. The association between a history of infertility treatment and sexual dysfunction—which was diagnosed by a combination of Female Sexual Function Index score ≤26.55 and Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised score ≥11—was assessed in a multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for multiple confounders. Outcomes The primary outcome was sexual dysfunction in midlife women. Results The analysis included 5912 women, with a mean age of 54.1 years. Nearly 16% of women reported receiving treatment for infertility. More than half the women (55%) had sexual dysfunction: 56.3% of those with previous fertility treatments and 54.4% of those without any fertility treatment (P = .3). Receiving treatment for infertility in the younger years did not significantly increase the odds of sexual dysfunction in midlife in univariate (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.94-1.24; P = .3) and multivariable analyses (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.96-1.29; P = .17). Clinical Implications While infertility is known to be predictive of sexual dysfunction in women during their reproductive years, there was no association between a history of infertility treatment and sexual dysfunction in midlife women in the current study. Strengths and Limitations The study used validated questionnaires accounting for sexual complaints and distress and adjusted for multiple confounding factors. Limitations include the selection bias introduced by the study of women presenting for evaluation of sexual dysfunction, which may have been a result of factors stronger than the influence of infertility. Other limitations include the study’s cross-sectional nature with suboptimal racial and ethnic representation. Conclusion Although infertility is commonly associated with female sexual dysfunction in women of reproductive age, the association was not present in midlife women in the current study.