THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND PSYCHIATRIC STATUS IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA
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Abstract
Background: The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between mental diseases, particularly fibromyalgia in premenopausal women, and sexual dysfunction.
Objective: This study aims to compare a group of women with fibromyalgia to a control group of women without overt organic disorders to determine how well fibromyalgia predicts sexual and mental health.
Materials and Methods: The prospective study included 38 age-matched healthy women and 82 premenopausal female patients with fibromyalgia certified by the American College of Rheumatology. Patients with newly diagnosed fibromyalgia and those without a history of mental disorders or treatments that can impair sexual function were included in the study according to certain criteria. Several evaluation instruments were used, including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a questionnaire used to gauge sexual function. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for measuring anxiety levels and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for measuring depression levels. Additionally, the hormonal concentrations of cortisol and testosterone in serum samples were examined, and statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.
Results: When compared to the normative cut-off score of 25 (Mean = 18.76), the Fibromyalgia Group's aggregate score on the FSFI test revealed considerably higher levels of sexual dysfunction and lower levels of sexual satisfaction. The average ratings showed significant deficits in all areas of sexual function: arousal 3.87, 3.45, orgasm 3.57, pleasure 3.77, discomfort 4.14, and desire 3.35. Additionally, compared to the control group, the mean BDI and STAI for fibromyalgia patients were 27.24 and 57.85, respectively. The two groups' serum levels of cortisol, LH, FSH, testosterone, and estradiol did not significantly vary.
Conclusion: The research concludes that high rates of sexual dysfunction, as well as high rates of anxiety and sadness in premenopausal women, are associated with fibromyalgia. This supports the necessity for a multimodal approach to this condition's management that takes the psychological component into account as well.
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Dr Ayesha Bibi
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology