Valerie Bernays1, Alexandra Kohl Schwartz2, Kirsten Geraedts1, Martina Rauchfuss3, Monika Maria Wölfler4, Felix Haeberlin5, Stephanie von Orelli6, Markus Eberhard7, Bruno Imthurn1, Daniel Fink8, Patrick Imesch8, Brigitte Leeners9. 1. University Hospital Zürich, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, 8910 Zürich, Switzerland. 2. University Hospital Zürich, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, 8910 Zürich, Switzerland; University Women's Hospital, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. 3. Charité Berlin, University Hospital, Department of Psychosomatics, 10117 Berlin, Germany. 4. University Hospital Graz, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 8036 Graz, Austria. 5. Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland. 6. Triemli Hospital Zürich, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 8036 Zürich, Switzerland. 7. Canton Hospital Schaffhausen, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 8208 Schaffhausen, Switzerland. 8. University Hospital Zürich, Department of Gynecology, 8910 Zürich, Switzerland. 9. University Hospital Zürich, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, 8910 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: Brigitte.Leeners@usz.ch.
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the specific characteristics of sexual activity in women with endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis? DESIGN: Multicentre case control study. Participants were recruited from university hospitals, district hospitals and doctor's offices in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. A total of 565 women with endometriosis were pair-matched to 565 control women by age and ethnic background. Diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by histology, and disease stage was classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. Data on sexuality were collected using selected questions from the Brief Index of Sexual Function and the Sexual History Form. RESULTS: Altogether, 69.1% of women with endometriosis and 77.8% of control women engaged in sexual activity during the month before the study period (P < 0.001). Overall, 42.3% of endometriosis-affected women and 30.5% of the control women desired a higher frequency of sexual activity (P < 0.001). Petting, foreplay and vaginal sexual intercourse were reported to be practised less often by women with endometriosis. Frequencies for masturbation, reciprocal masturbation, oral and anal sex were similar in both groups. Dyspareunia was negatively associated with sexual activity (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.63), whereas chronic pain showed no association with sexual activity (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.93, 1.96). CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis have lower frequencies of petting, foreplay and vaginal sexual intercourse than control women; this difference has to be attributed, at least in part, to dyspareunia. Potentially pain-free sexual options are used to a limited degree. As endometriosis-affected women desire higher levels of sexual activity, sexual counselling should be included in medical support.
RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the specific characteristics of sexual activity in women with endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis? DESIGN: Multicentre case control study. Participants were recruited from university hospitals, district hospitals and doctor's offices in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. A total of 565 women with endometriosis were pair-matched to 565 control women by age and ethnic background. Diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by histology, and disease stage was classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. Data on sexuality were collected using selected questions from the Brief Index of Sexual Function and the Sexual History Form. RESULTS: Altogether, 69.1% of women with endometriosis and 77.8% of control women engaged in sexual activity during the month before the study period (P < 0.001). Overall, 42.3% of endometriosis-affected women and 30.5% of the control women desired a higher frequency of sexual activity (P < 0.001). Petting, foreplay and vaginal sexual intercourse were reported to be practised less often by women with endometriosis. Frequencies for masturbation, reciprocal masturbation, oral and anal sex were similar in both groups. Dyspareunia was negatively associated with sexual activity (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.63), whereas chronic pain showed no association with sexual activity (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.93, 1.96). CONCLUSIONS:Women with endometriosis have lower frequencies of petting, foreplay and vaginal sexual intercourse than control women; this difference has to be attributed, at least in part, to dyspareunia. Potentially pain-free sexual options are used to a limited degree. As endometriosis-affected women desire higher levels of sexual activity, sexual counselling should be included in medical support.
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