Hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: quality of life and health burden

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) implications of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in a national sample of postmenopausal women ages 30–70.

Methods: The Nationwide Survey of Female Sexual Health, a random-digit telephone survey of US households, collected information on female sexual function, demographic characteristics, HRQOL, and the presence of specific medical disorders from 1189 naturally or surgically postmenopausal women in stable relationships of ≥3 months duration. HSDD was defined as <40 on the Profile of Female Sexual Function© scale and <60 on the Personal Distress Scale©. Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) summary and domain scores, and EuroQol (EQ-5D) index score and dimensions were compared with population-based norms for healthy individuals and selected chronic conditions.

Results: HSDD was associated with significant HRQOL decrements, with the largest SF-12 score differences in mental health (HSDD: 45.4 [standard error 1.9] vs. no HSDD: 51.0 [0.6], P < 0.01), vitality (HSDD: 47.7 [1.3] vs. no HSDD: 52.0 [0.7], P < 0.01), social function (HSDD: 47.3 [1.4] vs. no HSDD: 50.9 [0.7], P < 0.05), and bodily pain (HSDD: 41.4 [2.2] vs. no HSDD: 46.7 [0.9], P < 0.05). EQ-5D index was 0.08 points lower (HSDD: 0.76 [0.03] vs. no HSDD: 0.84 [0.02], P < 0.05) for those with HSDD compared with those without. HSDD was associated with a 0.1-point decrement in naturally menopausal women (HSDD: 0.78 [0.03] vs. no HSDD 0.88 [0.01], P < 0.01). Women with HSDD showed more HRQOL impairment than healthy population norms but were similar to adults with other chronic conditions such as diabetes and back pain.

Conclusions: Women with HSDD showed substantial impairment in HRQOL. Given a prevalence of 6.6% to 12.5% among US women, HSDD represents an important burden on quality of life.