Sexual function in women with unexplained infertility

Background. The problem of infertility, including unexplained infertility (UEI), does not lose its relevance. It is known that infertile women are prone to emotional disorders. Such psychological changes can contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction.

Aim. To study the characteristics of sexual function in women with unexplained infertility.

Materials and methods. A comparative study of sexual function was conducted in 60 women with UEI aged 20–40 years (group 1). Group 2 consisted of 75 fertile women with at least one living healthy child and no history of infertility. Group 3 included 75 healthy nulliparous women who do not plan pregnancy and do not have a diagnosis of “Infertility”. The questionnaire “Index of Female Sexual Function” (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function. The following parameters were assessed: “desire”, “arousal”, “lubrication”, “orgasm”, “satisfaction”, “pain”, and the final score.

Results. The lowest values were in group 2. In this group, statistically significant differences were obtained with groups 1 and 3 in the parameters “Attraction”, “Arousal”, “Lubrication”, “Satisfaction”, “Orgasm”. In group 1, the final score was significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3 – 30.2 (26.3–31.7), 26.6 (23.7–28.8) and 28.3 (27.5–29.9); p<0.001, respectively. The highest proportion of women with sexual dysfunction (FSFI<26.55) was in group 2 – 37 (49.33%). In groups 1 and 3, the number of women with sexual dysfunction was 13 (21.66%) and 9 (12%), respectively (the differences between groups 1 and 3 were not significant).

Conclusion. The quality of sexual function was not associated with reproductive disorders. The lowest rates were in group 2. This is probably due to psychological aspects and anatomical changes in the pelvic floor after childbirth. Many women, regardless of the presence of children, need therapeutic and preventive sexological care. In the case of sexual dysfunctions that impair a woman's quality of life, qualified sexological and psychological assistance should be provided regardless of her fertility.