The influence of bronchial asthma on the quality of life and sexual functioning of women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bronchial asthma on quality of life and sexual functioning of women. The study was conducted in a population of 72 women aged 18-45 (31 women treated for bronchial asthma and 41 healthy women). A specific questionnaire with a Polish version of Short Form-36 and Female Sexual Function Index was used as a research tool in this study. We found that the quality of life parameters for women with asthma were lower than for the controls in the following aspects: limitations due to physical health, limitations due to emotional problems, social functioning, energy/fatigue and emotional well-being. Asthmatic women showed worse sexual functioning in sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain domain. Sexual dysfunctions were diagnosed in 25.8% of asthmatic women and 17.1% of controls (P>0.05). In conclusion, bronchial asthma decreases quality of life and sexual functioning among women.