The impact of endometriosis on patients' quality of sexual life.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and impact of female sexual dysfunction and sexual distress in women with endometriosis. This retrospective, analytical, observational study included patients diagnosed with ovarian endometriomas who underwent surgery to remove endometriosis lesions. The impact of endometriosis on the quality of sexual lives of patients before and after surgery was analyzed using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 closed-ended questions. The study included 70 patients with endometriosis with a mean age of 32.70 ± 7.39 years. The majority of patients reported that the diagnosis of endometriosis negatively influenced their quality of sexual life (65.7%). Most patients (88.6%) experienced dyspareunia before surgery. A total of 36 patients (51.4%) stated that they had difficulty in obtaining pleasure during sexual intercourse. The intensity of dyspareunia had an important negative effect on the quality of sexual life of the patients. Following surgery, most patients (81.4%) reported improvements in their sexual quality of life, with a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity during intercourse (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that endometriosis may contribute to sexual avoidance and diminished pleasure. Surgical removal of endometriosis lesions significantly improved sexual quality of life, particularly by reducing dyspareunia intensity.