Unexplored Problems of PCOS Patients
Method: This cross-sectional study includes 301 infertile married women recruited from the infertility Department of Aakash Fertility Centre and Hospital from March 2013 to April 2014. PCOS was diagnosed based on Rotterdam criteria. Sexual function was assessed using the FSFI questionnaire and scores were calculated using cut off values. Descriptive analysis was done using chi-square test and ANOVA. A total of 185 women diagnosed with PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria, for these patients difference between FSD and absence of FSD was assessed using t-test. Cut-off value was determined using ROC curve to find the sensitivity and specificity of the test.
Result: Prevalence of PCOS among infertile women was 61% (95 % CI 55.9 to 66.8) and the Prevalence of FSD was 51% (95% CI 45.5 to 56.8). The Prevalence of FSD among PCOS in the infertility group was 63% (95% CI 55.5 to 69.3). Most common sexual dysfunction was lubrication (89%) followed by arousal (85%), pain (81%) and desire (74%) in the infertile group. Sexual function revealed significant association among infertile women and PCOS women in relation to age and duration of infertility but not BMI. The mean value of testosterone levels in women with PCOS having sexual dysfunction was 0.61 and having no sexual dysfunction was 1.02. Significant difference was observed among women with PCOS having sexual dysfunction and absence of sexual dysfunction. The groups showed significance with a p value 0.011. ROC curve reveals a cut-off of 0.269 with a sensitivity of 32.8% and specificity of 34.8%.
Conclusion: Definite leading sexual dysfunction questionnaire must be asked to all infertile women who are under fertility treatment. Correcting sexual dysfunction improves the natural pregnancy rate. Periodic evaluation of sexual function of infertile women is a must. PCOS women with sexual dysfunction showed decreased levels of testosterone compared to women with no sexual dysfunction issues.
