Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects approximately 9.2% of women of childbearing age. Physical and psychological changes caused by PCOS might impair women's sexual function. Women with PCOS may experience one of the most significant complications, which is infertility. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare sexual function between fertile and infertile women diagnosed with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 364 fertile and 239 infertile women with PCOS who referred to the Arash hospital gynecological clinics, Tehran, Iran from April 2019-February 2020. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on fertility: the fertile group (n = 364) and the infertile group (n = 239). They were asked to fill out a demographic survey and the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires. Finally, the sexual performance index and demographic variables were compared between groups. RESULTS: The total FSFI score for fertile and infertile women was 23.70 ± 6.26 and 24.65 ± 4.04, respectively. Regarding FSFI, the differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant in terms of total FSFI score (p = 0.391), desire (p = 0.863), lubrication (p = 0.583), satisfaction (p = 0.118), orgasm (p = 0.901), and arousal score (p = 0.405). However, the pain score was significantly higher in the fertile group (3.51 ± 1.27, 3.10 ± 1.11, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Impaired sexual function in infertile women diagnosed with PCOS can be more associated with PCOS-related complications and other concurrent factors that affect sexual function rather than infertility. It seems that the effects of infertility on sexual function can be different in infertile women according to each person's condition. Hence, screening for sexual dysfunction in women with PCOS and infertility should be deemed as a part of clinical assessment, leading to early diagnosis and improving their quality of life.