Hyeri Hong1,2, Hee Jun Lee3, Sun Min Kim1,4, Myung Jae Jeon1, Dong Wook Shin4,5, Ho-Chun Choi4,5, Hyejin Lee4,5, Jae Moon Yun4,5, Belong Cho4,5,6,7, Seung Mi Lee1,2. 1. 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea. 2. 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center , Seoul, Korea. 3. 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University , Seoul, Korea. 4. 4 Health Promotion Center, Seoul National University Hospital , Seoul, Korea. 5. 5 Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital , Seoul, Korea. 6. 6 Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University , Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. 7. 7 Institute on Aging, Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with the risk of anxiety or depression and can affect quality of life. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and female sexual dysfunction. METHODS: The study population consisted of sexually active middle-aged women (≥40 years old) who visited the center for health promotion and optimal aging at Seoul National University Hospital for a health check-up between 2010 and 2011. Sexual function was evaluated by the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire, and female sexual dysfunction was defined as a FSFI score of ≤26.55. FSFI scores and female sexual dysfunction frequencies were compared between cases with subclinical hypothyroidism and healthy controls. Nonparametric methods were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1086 women were included, and the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism and female sexual dysfunction was 138 (12.7%) and 741 (68.2%), respectively. The total FSFI score and the scores in each domain were not different between the two groups (median total FSFI score (interquartile range): 23.8 (20.2-27.5) for normal thyroid status vs. 24.4 (20.6-27.6) for subclinical hypothyroidism, p=n.s.). The frequency of female sexual dysfunction was not different between the two groups, either (68.4% for normal thyroid status vs. 67.4% for subclinical hypothyroidism, p=n.s.). These findings were consistent even after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism is not a risk factor for sexual dysfunction in middle-aged women.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with the risk of anxiety or depression and can affect quality of life. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and female sexual dysfunction. METHODS: The study population consisted of sexually active middle-aged women (≥40 years old) who visited the center for health promotion and optimal aging at Seoul National University Hospital for a health check-up between 2010 and 2011. Sexual function was evaluated by the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire, and female sexual dysfunction was defined as a FSFI score of ≤26.55. FSFI scores and female sexual dysfunction frequencies were compared between cases with subclinical hypothyroidism and healthy controls. Nonparametric methods were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1086 women were included, and the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism and female sexual dysfunction was 138 (12.7%) and 741 (68.2%), respectively. The total FSFI score and the scores in each domain were not different between the two groups (median total FSFI score (interquartile range): 23.8 (20.2-27.5) for normal thyroid status vs. 24.4 (20.6-27.6) for subclinical hypothyroidism, p=n.s.). The frequency of female sexual dysfunction was not different between the two groups, either (68.4% for normal thyroid status vs. 67.4% for subclinical hypothyroidism, p=n.s.). These findings were consistent even after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism is not a risk factor for sexual dysfunction in middle-aged women.