Genitourinary symptoms and sexual function in women with primary ovarian insufficiency

Abstract

Objective

There are limited studies on urogenital symptoms in women who experience menopause before the age of 40 years due to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) or bilateral oophorectomy (surgical POI). This study aimed to compare the urogenital symptoms, including sexuality, of women with POI to those without the condition.

Methods

This cross-sectional study conducted was in seven Latin American countries, in which postmenopausal women (with POI and non-POI) were surveyed with a general questionnaire, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the six-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). The association of premature menopause with more urogenital symptoms and lower sexual function was evaluated with logistic regression analysis.

Results

Women with POI experience more urogenital symptoms (MRS urogenital score: 3.54 ± 3.16 vs. 3.15 ± 2.89, p < 0.05) and have lower sexual function (total FSFI-6 score: 13.71 ± 7.55 vs. 14.77 ± 7.57 p < 0.05) than women who experience menopause at a normal age range. There were no significant differences in symptoms when comparing women based on the type of POI (idiopathic or surgical). After adjusting for covariates, our logistic regression model determined that POI is associated with more urogenital symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.80) and lower sexual function (OR: 1.67, 95% CI 1.25–2.25).

Conclusion

POI, whether idiopathic or secondary to bilateral oophorectomy, is associated with symptoms that affect vaginal and sexual health.

摘要

目的: 对于因原发性卵巢功能不全(POI)或双侧卵巢切除(手术性POI)在40岁之前经历绝经的女性的泌尿生殖症状, 目前的研究非常有限。本研究旨在比较患有POI的女性与没有该疾病的女性之间的包括性功能在内的泌尿生殖症状。

方法: 这项横断面研究在拉丁美洲七个国家进行, 调查了绝经后妇女(患有POI和非POI), 采用了一般问卷、绝经评分量表(MRS)和六项女性性功能指数(FSFI-6)。通过 logistic 回归分析评估了早绝经与更多泌尿生殖症状和较低性功能之间的关联。

结果: 患有POI的女性比在正常年龄范围内绝经的女性更容易出现泌尿生殖症状(MRS泌尿生殖分数: 3.54 ± 3.16 vs. 3.15 ± 2.89, p < 0.05), 且性功能较差(总FSFI-6分数: 13.71 ± 7.55 vs. 14.77 ± 7.57, p < 0.05)。在比较基于POI类型(特发性或手术性)的女性时, 症状没有显著差异。在调整了混杂变量后, 我们的 logistic 回归模型确定了POI与更多泌尿生殖症状(优势比 [OR]: 1.38, 95%置信区间 [CI] 1.06–1.80)和性功能较差(OR: 1.67, 95% CI 1.25–2.25)之间的关联。

结论: POI, 无论是特发性的还是继发于双侧卵巢切除术的, 都与影响阴道和性健康的症状。

Keywords:

• Primary ovarian insufficiency
• premature menopause
• surgical menopause
• sexuality
• genitourinary symptoms

Acknowledgements

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.