Dissatisfaction with male sexual performance and female sexual dysfunction in women with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Although partnership issues are thought to be implicated in female psychology and sexual life, no data exist on the relationship between dissatisfaction with male sexual performance and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1). We studied 70 women with uncomplicated DM-1 and 100 nondiabetic women using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and a Likert Scale to evaluate sexual function, sexual distress and the degree of satisfaction derived from the male partner's sexual performance. Compared with healthy controls, DM-1 women had significantly worse sexual function, higher sexual distress and higher FSD frequency. No significant difference in dissatisfaction with partner's sexual performance was found between diabetic and control group (CG). Moreover, dissatisfied diabetic and control women were comparable in sexual functioning, sexual distress and FSD frequency. In the CG, dissatisfied women had significantly worse total FSFI score compared with the satisfied ones. In addition, dissatisfaction with male sexual performance led to significantly worse FSDS score and higher FSD frequency in both diabetic and CGs. Therefore, our findings reveal a negative association between dissatisfaction with male partner's sexual performance and female sexual functioning, regardless of the presence of diabetes.