title: Impact of iron supplementation on sexual dysfunction of women with iron deficiency anemia in short term: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. It is an important health problem especially in women of reproductive age. IDA may cause anxiety, which is the major factor for female sexual dysfunction (FSD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of IDA on FSD in women of reproductive age.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 207 women were enrolled. Women with IDA who were admitted in an outpatient clinic of family medicine were asked to complete Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed before and after IDA treatments. Blood samples were obtained for measurements of hemoglobin, hematocrit, levels of serum iron, and iron-binding capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes of blood samples were used for diagnosing of IDA. BAI, FSFI, and QoL scores were evaluated. Paired samples t-tests and Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess relationship between findings of IDA treatments and other parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 33.6 ± 8.4 years. There were statistical significant differences between pre- and posttreatment in terms of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, and serum iron-binding capacity. BAI scores were decreased and FSFI scores, which were statistically significant, increased after IDA treatments (P < 0.001). However, QoL scores were developed without statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a risk for anxiety as well as FSD in IDA women of reproductive age. Treatment of IDA can significantly improve sexual functions and QoL in these women population in short term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family MedicinePublic Health Institution of TurkeyKonyaTurkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gulmez
authors.affiliation: Department of UrologyHarran University School of MedicineSanliurfaTurkey. Electronic address: yigitakin@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Yigit
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.affiliation: Department of UrologyAntalya Training and Research HospitalAntalyaTurkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savas
authors.affiliation: Department of UrologyHarran University School of MedicineSanliurfaTurkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gulum
authors.affiliation: Department of UrologyHarran University School of MedicineSanliurfaTurkey.
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ciftci
authors.affiliation: Department of UrologyAntalya Training and Research HospitalAntalyaTurkey.
authors.forename: Soner
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yalcinkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of UrologyHarran University School of MedicineSanliurfaTurkey.
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yeni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000379:methods; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Anxiety; Factors Associated with Female Sexual Dysfunction; Iron Deficiency Anemia; Quality of Life; Sexual Dysfunction