Evaluation of Sexual Function in Women with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism Using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Abstract

BackgroundHypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), or secondary hypogonadism, results from reduced secretion of gonadotropins, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), by the pituitary gland, resulting in lack of production of sex steroids. The aim of this study was to evaluate self-reported sexual function in sexually active women with and without HH using two evaluation methods, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).Material/MethodsThe study recruited 88 women who attended an outpatient in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic in Turkey for primary infertility, between August 2013 and August 2016. All patients were sexually active with an age that ranged from 20–41 years. Following an initial examination, including measurement of FSH and LH levels, all study participants were asked to complete the FSFI and BDI self-reporting questionnaires. Patients were divided into Group 1 (with HH) (N=42) and Group 2 (the control group) (N=46).ResultsAnalysis of the patient responses to questions regarding their sexual function in the FSFI and BDI showed that of the 42 patients in Group 1 (the HH group), 27 patients (64.28%) reported sexual dysfunction; of the 46 patients in Group 2 (the control group) 14 patients (30.34%) reported sexual dysfunction. Analysis of the FSFI lubrication scores and orgasm scores showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (both, p<0.01).ConclusionsWomen with HH require both physical and psychological support to improve their sexual function, self-esteem, mental health, and quality of life.

COVID-19 pandemic effect on female sexual function

“…Sreelakshmy et al [17], showed that FSD rates were higher in people with depression regardless of severity and type. BDI was a widely used questionnaire in studies to evaluate whether there was a relationship between sexual function and depression [18,19].…”

Female sexual dysfunction: a review

“…28 Decreased levels of estrogen (menopause, turner's syndrome, premature ovarian failure and hypothalamic pituitary disease) can be associated with loss of desire, difficulty or delayed arousal, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] Testosterone levels are also associated with libio, sexual desire and arousal. Low levels of testosterone are seen to be associated with low female sexual satisfaction index.…”

The Inferto-Sex Syndrome (ISS): sexual dysfunction in fertility care setting and assisted reproduction

“… Diamond et al 2017 [ 44 ] Cross section analysis aiming to determine the characteristics of SDs in women with PCOS vs unexplained infertility (UI) 750 women with PCOS and 900 with unexplained infertility (UI) N.A FSFI FSDS N.A MD-PHQ SF-36 FertiQoL 41.8 ± 38.0 in PCOS group vs 34.3 ± 24.6 in IU group (Mean 37.7 ± 31.6) N.A No differences in sexual function between infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome and those with unexplained infertility, despite phenotypic and biochemical differences in androgenic manifestations. Barut et al 2018 [ 91 ] Case control 88 (42 with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism-HH) N.A FSFI BDI N.A N.A IVF In the HH group, 64.28% reported SD vs 30.34% in the control group (infertile women without HH). Shaharaki et al 2018 [ 43 ] Case–control study 164 (78 primary vs 71 secondary infertility) 115 FSFI BDI SQOL-F N.A Candidate for IVF No significant differences between fertile and infertile women.…”

“…Sexual dysfunction in couple undergoing ART is a relatively new topic, only recently explored by scientific literature. In fact, most studies on the impact of infertility in sexuality have involved couples seeking fertility care at the first assessment in infertility clinics, with no systemic evaluation of the impact of the infertility treatment program on sexual health [ 90 , 91 ]. Although a substantial agreement was detected in the recent literature, we found significant heterogeneity among the experimental protocols, mainly because of the different aims and methodologies adopted to assess sexual function (Tables 1 , 2 , 3 ).…”