A comparative study of the sexual functioning of women with primary headache in India

Abstract

Introduction:Female Sexual dysfunction is an important health concern caused by several factors. This study aimed to compare the sexual function of women who have primary headaches in order to investigate the relationship between sexual dysfunction and the features of headaches.Materials and Methods:95 consecutive patients aged 18 to 65 years with a history of headache for at least 1 month and sexually active in the last 6 months presenting to Psychiatry OPD of a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi giving informed consent were taken. The diagnosis of headache type was confirmed according to the 2nd edition of International Headache Society (IHS) International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II) in 2004. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), visual analog scale (VAS) score and Migraine disability assessment scale score (MIDAS) were applied.Results:Those with migraines reported a greater intensity of pain than those with tension headaches. Individuals with tension headaches reported more frequent headaches. The mean MIDAS score in the migraine group was 14.64 (±2.59); 30% of the migraine group fell into the most severe category in MIDAS. Women with headaches had lower scores (indicating impaired sexual functioning) on all FSFI subscales, as well as on the total score when the prescribed cutoffs were applied as compared to controls (66.3% vs. 30% in controls).Conclusion:The present study showed that patients with either type of primary headache experience problems in several aspects of sexuality compared with controls.

Sexual dysfunction in migraine-affected women: A prospective cross-sectional controlled study

“…The mean FSFI score was 23.1 ± 4.76, where FSFI scores in all domains were lower in migraine patients. Similar findings were noticed in women with either migraine or tension-type headaches as reported by Nagpal M, et al, on 2018 [50] .…”

Effect of Migraine Headache on Productivity of Patients According to Migraine Disability Assessment Score: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A study reported a higher prevalence of severe migraine in females as compared to males and females suffered greater migraine-related disabilities [21]. A study conducted in Psychiatry Tertiary Care Hospital in New Delhi revealed that 66.0% of females with migraines scored low on the Female Sexual Function Index, an indication of lower sexuality as compared to the control group (33%) [22]. Our study showed β-blockers as the most common prophylactic used for migraine, however this is different from the finding in another study where the use of anti-depressants was more common [23].…”