Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Overview

Figures & data

Figure 1 Displays the 15 questions included in the IBD-Specific Female Sexual Dysfunction Scale (IBD-FSDS). Each question assesses for the impact of IBD-specific symptoms on sexual functioning and/or relationships.

Notes: Reproduced from de Silva PS, O’Toole A, Marc LG, et al. Development of a sexual dysfunction scale for women with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(11):2350–2359; with permission from Oxford University Press.⁸

Table 1 Screening Women with IBD for Sexual Dysfunction

IBD and Its Management Can Sometimes Interfere with a Woman’s Sexual Life. Are You Bothered by Symptoms Such as…?
1. Fear of passing stool during intercourse
2. Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
3. Embarrassment due to setons (used to drain a sinus/fistula/abscess)
4. Inhibitions due to stoma (ostomy bag)
5. Embarrassment in addressing these issues with partner/health care provider

Note: Table 1 lists five specific questions useful in screening women with IBD for the presence of potential sources of sexual dysfunction.

Figure 2 Depicts an overview of the approach to the diagnosis and management of sexual dysfunction among women with IBD who present with GI and/or gynecologic symptoms.

Notes: Reprinted from American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol 215/ Issue 1, Sanders JN, Gawron LM, Friedman S, Sexual satisfaction and inflammatory bowel diseases:an interdisciplinary clinical challenge, Pages No. 58-62, Copyright (2016), with permission from Elsevier.¹⁹

Figure 3 Displays a comprehensive overview of the factors which contribute to sexual dysfunction among women with IBD, including patient mental and physical health comorbidities, IBD disease characteristics and surgical and medical management of IBD. Downstream effects of sexual dysfunction, diagnostics and management options are also depicted.

de Silva PS, O’Toole A, Marc LG, et al. Development of a sexual dysfunction scale for women with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(11):2350–2359. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy202

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Sanders JN, Gawron LM, Friedman S. Sexual satisfaction and inflammatory bowel diseases: an interdisciplinary clinical challenge. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;215(1):58–62. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2016.01.188

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar