Pastoor Hester, Bolt Hanneke, Burgert Tania, Tay Jillian, Mousa Aya, Teede Prof. Helena

(300) SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: AN UPDATED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

  • Urology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
Save to CiteDrive Show PDF

Abstract Objectives To present a comprehensive review of the evidence on sexual function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to women without PCOS. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature was conducted. Eight databases were searched from inception to August 24th 2022. Two authors independently screened articles based on pre-defined inclusion (e.g. adequate PCOS diagnosis) and exclusion criteria (e.g. hyperandrogenism caused by other diseases) and assessed their quality, including grading the certainty of the evidence. Meta-analyses, forest plots and publication bias were assessed using Review Manager. Results Twenty-seven articles were included, of which 23 used questionnaires and four used visual analogue scales (VAS). The questionnaires showed worse sexual function across most domains in women with PCOS, including arousal (weighted mean difference [WMD]= -0.36, P= 0.002), lubrication (WMD= -0.47, P <0.001), and orgasm (WMD= -0.35, P <0.001). Total sexual function was also significantly lower in PCOS (WMD= -2.42, P <0.001), as was sexual satisfaction (WMD= -1.48, P <0.001). VAS results were not pooled in meta-analysis due to using the same control group across the included studies. However, effects within individual VAS studies demonstrated the negative impact of excess body hair on sexuality, lower sexual attractiveness and lower sexual satisfaction in women with PCOS compared with controls, with no differences in the perceived importance of a satisfying sex life. Certainty of evidence was graded low for all included studies. Conclusions Women with PCOS place similar importance on sexual satisfaction as women without PCOS, yet have lower sexual function and sexual satisfaction across a number of domains. Sexual function assessment, and where relevant, psychosexual counseling should be considered as part of standard care in women with PCOS. Findings from this review have directly informed the international PCOS guideline on sexual function assessment and management. Conflicts of Interest HP, JB, TSB, CTT, AM, HJT: no conflicts to report.

Need a simple solution for managing your BibTeX entries? Explore CiteDrive!

  • Web-based, modern reference management
  • Collaborate and share with fellow researchers
  • Integration with Overleaf
  • Comprehensive BibTeX/BibLaTeX support
  • Save articles and websites directly from your browser
  • Search for new articles from a database of tens of millions of references
Try out CiteDrive

More from our Archive