Impact of Infertility and Medically Assisted Reproduction Treatments on Female Sexuality.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of infertility and Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) on female sexuality. Human sexuality presents a multifaceted complexity, shaped by diverse factors and individual intricacies. Infertility and assisted reproductive treatments entail a prolonged and arduous journey, amplifying pre-existing sexual dysfunctions and serving as a rigorous trial of the affected women's sexuality and the resilience of couples.

Methods: This is a prospective descriptive comparative study with an analytical section, involving 140 female participants: 70 with infertility undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment, and 70 who are fertile and had no prior history of conceiving problems. The evaluation of the sexual function of the two groups was conducted using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score.

Results: The infertile group exhibited a higher level of marital adjustment compared to the fertile cohort. A majority of participants within the infertile cohort (51.4%) presented with primary infertility and (48.6%) experiencing secondary infertility. A marginal elevation in the frequency of sexual intercourse among infertile participants was observed. The mean global score of female sexual function was (21.57±3.36) in the infertile group, which was significantly lower compared to (24.46±1.97) in the fertile group. Notably, both scores fell within the criteria for high risk of sexual dysfunction. The difference between the two groups was significant for all dimensions of FSFI.

Conclusions: Infertility and its treatments pose challenges to female sexuality, often leading to sexual dysfunction. Thus, counseling and sexological support are crucial during treatment.