Sexual function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos)

Raziyeh Navidmehr,1,* Shahideh jahanian sadatmahalleh ,2 Anoshirvan kazemnejad,3

1. Tarbiat Modares University
2. Tarbiat Modares University
3. Tarbiat Modares University

Abstract


Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age with the prevalence estimation to be between 2% and 20% in different populations. pcos is characterized by enlarged ovaries, menstrual irregularities and clinical and biochemical hyperandrogensim. pcos is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, lipid disorders, an ovulatory infertility as well as endometrial cancer. this syndrome is not only associated with physical signs but it can also affect the sexual, psychological and social health of women of reproductive age. pcos appears to be related to sexual dysfunction, especially if associated with obvious clinical and hormonal signs of hyperandrogenism. in this article, an overview of the association between pcos and sexual function.

Methods

: a literature search was conducted through pub med to identify pcos and sexual dysfunctional related studies.

Results

: according to studies conducted in recent decades that in these studies, statistical methods have been used, suggests 16 to 64 percent of prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with pcos. the causes of sexual dysfunction in women with a similar history are similar, such as obesity or overweight - alopecia or hirsutism – infertility-acne and anxiety and depression associated with them have been reported, among which obesity and infertility have a more negative effected.on the other hand, evaluations of biochemical factors have led to similar results in various studies suggests no significant association between having a low score for any fsfi (female sexual function index) domain and having a low serum total or free testosterone or androstenedione and shbg (sex hormone-binding globulin) level was demonstrated. no evidence of associations between low scores for any of the sexual domains evaluated and low serum total and free testosterone levels. usually, sexual dysfunction occurs in women with pcos in the stimulation phase, and sometimes in the lubrication. actually, there was no significant difference in the stage of orgasm compared to non-affected individuals. in some studies, there is no significant difference in total score of fsfi and any of the areas of sexual function in the affected and normal groups.

Conclusion

It is appeared that there is a correlation between pcos and sexual dysfunction, multiple physical signs and psychological disorders associated with them make the pcos person more vulnerable to sexual dysfunction

Keywords

Polycystic ovary syndrome, sexual dysfunction, infertility