Impact of hypertension on sexual function in women

Abstract

Background: the effect of hypertension and its treatment on female sexual function is largely unexplored especially in Africa. However in practice, cases abound where consequent sexual dysfunction leads to poor or non-adherence with catastrophic results. Believing that like in males, hypertension and its treatment should affect female sexual function; we set out using a structured questionnaire to study the subject as it affects women.

Objective: to examine the relationship between hypertension and female sexual functions of arousal, lubrication and orgasm.

Methods: five hundred questionnaires were distributed to consenting Nigerian women after ethical clearance was obtained. Information sought included demographics, menstrual history, medical treatment and sexual function.

Results: a total of 454 returned questionnaires were analysable. Out of this, 109(24%) admitted to being hypertensive, 89 of whom were on treatment. Hypertension was related to difficulty with sustaining sexual excitement (p=0.03), decreased sexual thoughts (p=0.003), poor rating of marriages (p=0.03), difficulty being excited by fantasies (p=0.0001), increased vaginal dryness in the preceding one year (p=0.02), reduced frequency of sexual contact in the last one year (p=0.04) and rejection of partner sexual advance (p=0.05). The proportion of women in regular sexual relationship was less among the hypertensive group (p=0.02). Use of drugs produced significant sexual unpleasantness (p=0.03).

Conclusion: hypertension and its treatment may produce female sexual dysfunction, and should be considered in managing the female hypertensive. By so doing, quality of life can be maintained; and compliance improved upon. The cumulative effect would be improvement in blood pressure control, with its attendant reduction in morbidity and mortality from hypertension.