Sexual dysfunction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and hormonal correlations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual function of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including the clinical and hormonal characteristics potentially related to sexual dysfunction, in an endocrinology and gynecology ambulatory.

Methodology: Women in ambulatory accompaniment for PCOS (N = 88) were sequentially evaluated by means of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the application of structured diagnostic interview Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (version 4.4) for the identification of mood disorders. The clinical and laboratorial parameters were examined using the patient's medical records.

Results: The incidence of sexual dysfunction was verified (13.3%), and it was observed that the average (SD) ASEX score of 14.4 (3.7) was comparable with that of the population with no medical problems. There is a negative correlation between the scores of ASEX and the levels of total testosterone (-0.360), luteinizing hormone (-0.397), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (-0.723).

Conclusion: The main factors of preservation of the sexual function in our sample were identified as the low average age of the patients in treatment and the hyperandrogenism habitually found as a consequence of the physiopathology of PCOS.