No abstract

Introduction The physical health and emotional well-being of many individuals and couples of reproductive age are significantly affected by infertility. Sexual function is one of the important components of health and overall quality of life. Aims To determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in infertile couples. Methods In a cross-sectional study, in a tertiary university hospital, sexual dysfunction was assessed in 100 infertile couples. Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire were administered. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in infertile couples based on the score of the domains of SFQ and IIEF. Result(s) The SFQ score was within the normal range in all five domains in only 7% of women. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was highest and lowest in arousal-sensation (80.2%) and orgasm (22.8%) domains, respectively. Only 2% of male participants have had severe erectile dysfunction (ED). Conclusions The prevalence of dysfunction in arousal-sensation and arousal-lubrication in our study was found to be higher than the results reported from Iranian normal population. The prevalence of any degree of ED in our study was higher than the prevalence reported for normal population and infertile men. The role of demographic factors, relationship parameters, and infertility per se in the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in infertile couples remains to be determined.

AMHR-II: anti-müllerian hormone receptor-II; 3β-HSD: 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; Cyp11a1: Cytochrome P450 Family 11 Subfamily A Member 1; Cyp19a1: cytochrome P450 aromatase; DHEA: dehydroepiandrosterone; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; FSHR: follicle stimulating hormone receptor; IVF: in vitro fertilization; 25OHD: 25-hydroxy vitamin D; OHSS: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; PCOS: polycystic ovarian syndrome; P450scc: P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme; StAR: steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; VDRs: vitamin D receptors.