Differences in prevalence of sexual dysfunction between primary and secondary infertile women

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of type of infertility on female sexual function.

Design: Comparison of female sexual function index and prevalence in primary infertile women and secondary infertile women.

Setting: Hospital.

Patient(s): One hundred twenty-two primary infertile and 51 secondary infertile women.

Intervention(s): Questionnaires (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] and Beck Depression Inventory).

Main outcome measure(s): Prevalence of dysfunction in primary and secondary infertile women.

Result(s): The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 64.8% (n = 79) and 76.5% (n = 39) in primary infertile and secondary infertile women, respectively. In analyses of mean overall and subgroup scores of FSFI, there were significant differences between primary and secondary infertile women in the mean scores of orgasm, satisfaction, and total FSFI. Backward logistic regression identified a model with four significant predictors of sexual dysfunction (group, age, income level, and educational level). Secondary infertile women had a 9.5-fold higher risk of sexual dysfunction than primary infertile women after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusion(s): There was a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in secondary infertile women. Secondary infertile women have decreased sexual desire, orgasm, and satisfaction compared with primary infertile women.