[Infertility, the most adverse outcome among sexual function outcome affecting of Iranian women with polycystic ovarian syndrome]

ABSTRACT

The physical and apparent changes caused by PCOS such as hirsutism, obesity, acnea, hair loss and outcomes like infertility can cause decreased sexual function in the women affected. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the impact of PCOS clinical signs on the sexual function of married Iranian women. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 600 reproductive aged married women with PCOS selected using simple sampling from among women referring to gynecologists at private clinics. Clinical examinations and antropomethric measurements were done and a questionnaire including demographic, reproductive history, diseases and Persian version of Female Sexual Function Index were completed for all participants. Analysis was done using SPSS version 15. Approximately two third of participants had sexual dysfunction. Infertility is was found to be the most influential clinical sign of PCOS on sexual function of affected women. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that PCOS women with infertility had significantly more sexual dysfunction compared to fertile PCOS women [71 vs 61%]. Seventy-two percent of infertile women had sexual dysfunction in lubrication and arousal, while these values for fertile women were 54 and 52% respectively. Among Iranian women with PCOS, infertility affects their sexual function more than any other clinical sign, and these women experience orgasm and sexual satisfaction less than their fertile counterparts. It seems that infertility should be carefully considered during sexual consultation visits for PCOS women