Partnership and sexuality in adult female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. First results of a cross-sectional quality-of-life evaluation.

In congenital adrenal hyperplasia affected female patients are born with ambiguous genitalia caused by prenatally elevated circulating androgens from the defective adrenal glands. Surgical correction and life-long medication is needed to enable a normal female life. In contrast to androgen-related behaviour little information is available regarding the psychosocial consequences of genital malformations and lifetime medical treatment on the life of female patients. We report the results regarding partnership and sexuality of a comprehensive quality-of-life evaluation of female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. While there was no significant difference in the first overall evaluation between the various clinical forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, patients differed significantly from healthy controls in regard to partnership and sexuality. However, overall analysis suggested, that the patients were able to adjust well to their condition and were able to lead a normal life. Further longitudinal research is needed to more clearly identify problem areas and to improve medical and psychological treatment.