Sexual function in endometriosis patients and their partners: effect of the disease and consequences of treatment

Abstract

Multiple clinical and personal determinants affect sexual function in women with endometriosis, with potentially negative consequences on the sexual function of partners and quality of the relationship. Additional prospective and longitudinal investigations are warranted using specific instruments to analyze biopsychosocial variables of sexual pain in endometriosis patients and the effects that actual treatments have on measures of quality of sexual function and relationship.

Questionnaire‐based evaluation of sexual life after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis: a systematic review of prospective studies

“…Our results are in accordance with the conclusion of previous reviews examining the effect of laparoscopy on QoSL of women with endometriosis . In the most recent one by Barbara et al , the key message was that “endometriosis surgical and pharmacological treatments can lead to medium‐/long‐term improvement, but not necessarily to a definitive resolution of female sexual dysfunction”.…”

“…This methodological approach was driven by the fact that when analyzing the effect of laparoscopy on QoSL of women with endometriosis, the main tools used in most studies are questionnaires. In this way, we clearly highlighted the weakness of a questionnaire group-based meta-analysis between and/or among studies using the same questionnaire, mainly due to differences on stages Our results are in accordance with the conclusion of previous reviews examining the effect of laparoscopy on QoSL of women with endometriosis (8,9,14,19,50). In the most recent one by Barbara et al (14), the key message was that "endometriosis surgical and pharmacological treatments can lead to medium-/long-term improvement, but not necessarily to a definitive resolution of female sexual dysfunction".…”

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of complementary treatments for women with symptomatic endometriosis

“…In fact, the symptoms have been reported to be responsible for 7%-19% of divorces, owing to a partner's incomprehension of the pain. 38,39 These findings suggest that there is a complex interplay of factors in the life of these women, for whom prolongment of symptoms intensifies the effects of the disease, leading to permanent health injuries. This could be a reason why the popularity of complementary studies among this population of women is growing and is proving to be a viable option associated with medical treatment.…”

“…Approximately 67% of women with endometriosis have relationship problems due to the disease. In fact, the symptoms have been reported to be responsible for 7%–19% of divorces, owing to a partner's incomprehension of the pain . These findings suggest that there is a complex interplay of factors in the life of these women, for whom prolongment of symptoms intensifies the effects of the disease, leading to permanent health injuries.…”

CXCR4 or CXCR7 antagonists treat endometriosis by reducing bone marrow cell trafficking

“…It is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue in ectopic locations, causing pain and infertility. In addition, endometriosis has a significant social and psychological impact on the lives of women, 63% of whom report serious negative impact on their quality of life . The yearly costs of endometriosis treatment exceed $22 billion in the United States alone .…”