Prevalence of sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disease characterized by the co-occurrence of impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes, central obesity, high levels of triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein, and hypertension. Its prevalence is higher in menopausal women. We, and others, have recently shown that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) affects menopausal women. Whether the presence of MetS may be linked to a higher risk of FSD in menopausal women is unknown.


OBJECTIVE



OBJECTIVE
(i) to evaluate the prevalence of FSD in women with MetS (based on National Cholesterol Education program-Adult Treatment Panel III 2009 criteria) in comparison with healthy controls and (ii) to evaluate the influence of singular components of MetS on female sexual function.


METHODS
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and The Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire were administered to 103 postmenopausal women with MetS and 105 healthy postmenopausal controls (HC). Female sexuality was defined as dysfunctional when FSFI score was <23 and FSDS was >15.


METHODS
FSFI and FSDS were completed by women with and without MetS.


RESULTS
The prevalence of women with sexual dysfunction was higher in MetS women than HC (39/103 [37.9%] vs. 20/105 [19%], P = 0.003). The prevalence of both pathological scores in every FSFI domain and FSDS score was higher in MetS women than HC. The logistic regression, considering age and the length of relationship as a common starting point, shows that higher levels of triglycerides are linked to a higher risk of presenting FSD (odds ratio = 2.007 95% confidence interval [1.033-3.901]) in the whole population.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results suggest that prevalence of FSD is higher in women with MetS in comparison with healthy controls. Higher levels of triglycerides are linked to a higher risk of presenting FSD.
Gynecology and Phisiopathology of Human Reproduction, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Interdepartmental Centre for Sexual Health Protection (CISS), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Valentina
V
Martelli
Sara
S
Valisella
Simona
S
Moscatiello
Carlotta
C
Matteucci
Claudia
C
Lantadilla
Antonietta
A
Costantino
Giuseppe
G
Pelusi
Giulio
G
Marchesini
Maria Cristina
MC
Meriggiola
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires