The risk of sexual dysfunction in Chinese women with recurrent pregnancy loss and the associated factors: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a severe traumatic event for women of childbearing age. However, the association between RPL and female sexual dysfunction was unknown.

Aim: The study sought to investigate the association between RPL and sexual dysfunction, and to explore the risk factors of sexual dysfunction for RPL patients.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study involving both RPL patients and healthy women was performed in 3 different hospitals in West China from May 2021 to January 2023. Baseline information including sociodemographic data and disease histories were collected. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess the sexual function of participants.

Outcomes: The main outcome was the proportion of women at increased risk of sexual dysfunction (total FSFI scores <26.55), and the secondary outcome was risk factors of sexual dysfunction in RPL patients.

Results: A total of 233 RPL patients and 185 healthy women were included in this study. RPL patients had significantly lower total FSFI scores (median 31.7 [interquartile range, 26.6-33.5] vs 33.0 [interquartile range, 31.2-34.1]; P < .001) and a significantly higher risk of sexual dysfunction than healthy women (24.9% vs 8.6%; P < .001). Body mass index >24 kg/m² (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.132; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.902-8.976, P < .001), working >8 h/d (adjusted OR, 2.111; 95% CI, 1.020-4.369, P = .044), and unexplained RPL (adjusted OR, 3.785; 95% CI, 1.967-7.280, P < .001) were independent risk factors of sexual dysfunction for RPL patients.

Clinical implications: RPL patients, especially those patients with the previously mentioned risk factors, should be focused on the risk of sexual dysfunction, and appropriate preventions could be applied.

Strength and limitations: We explored the association between RPL and sexual dysfunction and explored the risk factors of sexual dysfunction among RPL patients for the first time, and the multicenter data increased the generalizability of results. However, the cross-sectional design did not provide an exact causal relationship between RPL and sexual dysfunction, and potential risk factors related to mental health were not investigated.

Conclusion: RPL patients were at an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Overweight, fatigue caused by work, and unexplained RPL were risk factors of sexual dysfunction for RPL patients.