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. 2018 Jun 14;18(1):92.
doi: 10.1186/s12905-018-0584-2.

Depression, sexual dysfunction and sexual quality of life in women with infertility

Zahra Shahraki  1 , Fatemeh Davari Tanha  2 , Mahsa Ghajarzadeh  3
Affiliations

Depression, sexual dysfunction and sexual quality of life in women with infertility

Zahra Shahraki et al. BMC Womens Health. .

Abstract

Background: Women suffering from infertility are at higher risk of experiencing psychological problems. Sexual function and sexual related quality of life is not considered as it should be. We designed this study to assess depression, sexual function and sexual quality of life in Iranian women with infertility.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty four individuals participated in the study (115 healthy controls, 78 with primary and 71 with secondary infertility). All participants were asked to fill a valid and reliable Persian versions of BDI (Beck depression inventory), FSFIS (Female Sexual Function Index) and sexual quality of life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaires.

Results: Mean BDI score was significantly lower in healthy individuals.Individuals with primary infertility suffered more from sexual dysfunction, while BDI score was significantly higher and SQOL-F was significantly lower in cases with sexual dysfunction. There was significant positive correlation between SQOL-F and total FSFI score (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis by considering SQOL-F as dependent and age, BDI, duration of marriage, sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤26.55 or > 26.55) showed that BDI and sexual dysfunction were independent predictors of SQOL-F.

Conclusion: Sexual function and quality of life related to sexual life should be considered in Iranian infertile ones. Depression as a crucial factor should be focused more in infertile women.

Keywords: Depression; Infertility; Iran; Quality of life; Sexual function.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All participants asked to fill written informed consent forms before study entrance. The study had been approved by local ethics committee of Yas Hospital.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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