Sexual satisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A review article

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder with an estimated prevalence of 5-24% depending on diagnostic criteria. The symptoms of this syndrome are irregular menstruation, hirsutism, alopecia, obesity, infertility and acne. These symptoms changes body appearance and can lead to diminished feminine identity and also psychological stress in these patients. Female sexuality is a complex behavioral trait that encompasses both biological and psychological components. Since there are multiple factors that can impair the sexual function of these patients, it is essential to evaluate the main factors associated to this disorder.Objective: The aim of the study was review of the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome on sexual satisfaction.Materials and Methods: From 45 initial obtained articles, 23 articles were reviewed from 2007 to 2018 with the keywords of polycystic ovary syndrome, sexual satisfaction and sexual function from resources: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Springer and Wiley Online Library.Results: In the majority of studies, kind of method was descriptive cross-sectional and correlational study and only one study was review article. All papers had investigated sexual satisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome with different symptoms of this syndrome, that according to, polycystic ovary syndrome women with infertility, irregular menstruation, severe hirsutism, high body mass index and alopecia had significantly more sexual dysfunction and mood problems, depression, anxiety and lack of self-confidence impair these women s sexual function. In addition, women with limited or no formal education had more sexual dysfunction. Acne, low moderate hirsutism and hyperandrogenism didn’t have any important influence on body image and self-esteem and, as a consequence, on sexual function. Some expressed no difference in sexual dysfunction among women without and with polycystic ovary syndrome. Higher level of testosterone in these women had positive correlation with their sexual function. It is possible that a positive association between androgen levels and satisfying sexual functioning is masked by the negative effects of this syndrome phenotype on self-esteem. Thus, their mental health has to be analyzed more specifically and it has to be considered that sexual function impairment can be intensified as disease progresses or because of side effects of used medications.Conclusion: It seems appropriate to screen all patients with polycystic ovary syndrome for sexual function with a simple short questionnaire and targeted interventions such as sexual consultation could be considered to help improve their quality of life along with other treatments.

Keywords:

Polycystic ovary syndrome , Sexual satisfaction , Sexual function