ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the status of female sexual dysfunction [FSD] between women with a history of previous gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] and those with follow-up of a healthy pregnancy, using the female sexual function index [FSFI] questionnaire
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from September to December 2015
Methodology: Healthy sexually active adult parous females were included. Participants were asked to complete the validated Turkish versions of the FSFI and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] questionnaires. Student's t-test was used for two-group comparisons of normally distributed variables and quantitative data. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for two-group comparisons of non-normally distributed variables. Pearson's chi-squared test, the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test, Fisher's exact test, and Yates' continuity correction test were used for comparison of qualitative data
Results: The mean FSFI scores of the 179 participants was 23.50 +/- 3.94. FSFI scores and scores of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were not statistically significantly different [p>0.05], according to a history of GDM and types of FSD [none, mild, severe]. HADS scores and anxiety and depression types did not statistically significantly differ according to the history of GDM [p>0.05]
Conclusion: An association could not be found in FSFI scores between participants with both the history of previous GDM and with healthy pregnancy; subclinical sexual dysfunction may be observed in the late postpartum period among women with a history of previous GDM. This may adversely affect their sexual health