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Sexual dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder characterized by clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism and ovulary dysfunction. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) adversely affects quality of life and interpersonal relationships. We aimed to compare the prevalence of FSD in women with and without PCOS.

Methods

We pooled data from 28 observational studies involving 6256 women. Apart from the total prevalence of FSD, subgroup analyses based on different PCOS diagnostic criteria and obesity status (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m2) were performed. The differences in total and subscale scores of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among women with and without PCOS were also compared.

Results

Women with PCOS were younger (mean ± SD 28.56 ± 3.0 vs 31.5 ± 3.2 years, p < 0.001) with higher BMI (28.5 ± 4.2 vs 27.0 ± 6.1 kg/m2, p < 0.001), Ferriman-Gallwey score (10.0 ± 3.2 vs 4.0 ± 2.1, p < 0.001), and serum total testosterone level (2.34 ± 0.58 nmol/L vs 1.57 ± 0.60 nmol/L, p < 0.001) compared with women without PCOS. The prevalence of FSD among women with and without PCOS was 35% and 29.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in total FSFI score (24.59 ± 3.97 vs 26.04 ± 3.05, p = 0.237) between the two groups. Women with PCOS, however, had significantly lower scores in the pain (p < 0.001) and satisfaction subscales (p = 0.010) compared with women without PCOS. Women with PCOS had 1.32 higher odds (95% CI 1.07, 1.61) of having FSD than women without PCOS.

Conclusion

Women with PCOS have a higher risk of FSD than those without PCOS. Although total FSFI scores were not significantly different, women with PCOS tended to report dyspareunia and lack of sexual satisfaction.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

The project received funding from the University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG Programme)–HTM (Wellness) RP012-2012C.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Muhammad Musa, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Huai Heng Loh

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, University Malaya Centre of Addiction Science (UMCAS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Anne Yee

  3. Clinical Academic Unit, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Iskandar Puteri, 79200, Johor, Malaysia

    Huai Seng Loh

  4. Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Sharmilla Kanagasundram & Benedict Francis

  5. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Lee-Ling Lim

  6. Asia Diabetes Foundation, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Lee-Ling Lim

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  1. Huai Heng Loh
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Contributions

HHL, HSL, LLL, AY, and SK performed the systematic search and data extraction. HHL, AY, and LLL assessed the quality of the methodology. AY and SK analyzed the data. HHL, SK, BF, and LLL drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Huai Heng Loh or Anne Yee.

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Loh, H.H., Yee, A., Loh, H.S. et al. Sexual dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hormones 19, 413–423 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-020-00210-0

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