Abstract
One of the most common endocrine disorders in women during reproductive age is polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to evaluate sexual functioning among women with PCOS in a sample of a region's
population in the west of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 130 women with PCOS who
referred to three clinics of gynecology, infertility, and dermatology affiliated with Hamadan University of Medical
Sciences, Iran, from September to November 2020. The measurement tools included demographic characteristics,
hirsutism score, and sexual function was assessed using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire.
Results: In total, 60% of patients had reported sexual dysfunction related to lubrication, satisfaction, and pain as domains
of sexual dysfunction. The number 109 (83.85%) of them had hirsutism and these patients had a lower score for
lubrication (3.7 ± 1.47 vs. 4.47 ± 1.71, P=0.03), orgasm (3.2 ± 1.34 vs. 3.95 ± 1.37, P=0.02), satisfaction (3.4 ± 1.29
vs. 3.71 ± 1.33, P=0.03), and FSFI score (22.56 ± 5.78 vs. 25.42 ± 5.51, P=0.04). Women with higher education had
reported higher scores of FSFI and its domains. Rural participants had a higher arousal score (3.93 ± 1.4 vs. 3.37 ±
1.28, P=0.04). Moreover, housekeeper women had higher scores regarding desire, pain, and total FSFI score.
Conclusion: Our results showed that there was a significant association between hirsutism and FSFI scores, different
domains, including lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction.
syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to evaluate sexual functioning among women with PCOS in a sample of a region's
population in the west of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 130 women with PCOS who
referred to three clinics of gynecology, infertility, and dermatology affiliated with Hamadan University of Medical
Sciences, Iran, from September to November 2020. The measurement tools included demographic characteristics,
hirsutism score, and sexual function was assessed using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire.
Results: In total, 60% of patients had reported sexual dysfunction related to lubrication, satisfaction, and pain as domains
of sexual dysfunction. The number 109 (83.85%) of them had hirsutism and these patients had a lower score for
lubrication (3.7 ± 1.47 vs. 4.47 ± 1.71, P=0.03), orgasm (3.2 ± 1.34 vs. 3.95 ± 1.37, P=0.02), satisfaction (3.4 ± 1.29
vs. 3.71 ± 1.33, P=0.03), and FSFI score (22.56 ± 5.78 vs. 25.42 ± 5.51, P=0.04). Women with higher education had
reported higher scores of FSFI and its domains. Rural participants had a higher arousal score (3.93 ± 1.4 vs. 3.37 ±
1.28, P=0.04). Moreover, housekeeper women had higher scores regarding desire, pain, and total FSFI score.
Conclusion: Our results showed that there was a significant association between hirsutism and FSFI scores, different
domains, including lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction.