Endometriosis Affects Women's Sexual Function
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) can interfere with a woman's sexual function and her quality of life, according to Italian researchers.
DIE occurs when tissue from the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and penetrates 5 mm into the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity.
One hundred eighty-two women participated in this cross-sectional study. The women had preoperative diagnoses of DIE.
Each woman completed two questionnaires: The Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire (SHOW-Q), which was used to evaluate sexual function, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36), which assessed quality of life. Information on pain symptoms was obtained with a visual analog scale.
Almost 62% of the women reported low frequency of intercourse. About 71% said that DIE "substantially" impaired their sexual function. Orgasm and satisfaction were most commonly affected.
“It seems therefore that all aspects of sexual life are equally impaired in women with DIE,” the authors wrote.
The study was published online in April in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Please click here for more details.
New Journal, Sexual Medicine Reviews, Has Launched
The first issue of Sexual Medicine Reviews is now available online.
Published by Wiley, the ISSM's newest journal will be published quarterly.
The 64-page first issue features articles on erectile dysfunction, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and hypogonadal infertile men. It also includes evidence and clinical guideline considerations for practicing urologists.
In the journal's first editorial, Editor-in-Chief Culley C. Carson, MD writes:
"The goal of Sexual Medicine Reviews is to publish thoughtful, systematic, and evidence-based reviews of topics in sexual medicine of the highest caliber by authors who have deep experience and expertise in the area that they are reporting on."
Dr. Carson adds, "[Sexual Medicine Reviews] will be an invaluable resource for students, investigators, and practitioners in the field of sexual health, as well as the non-specialist reader (without a specific focus in sexual medicine) looking to access the latest information on a topic of interest to them from an outstanding author that gives them an objective examination of a timely topic in sexual health."
Sexual Medicine Reviews joins two other publications in the ISSM family of journals: The Journal of Sexual Medicine and the recently-launched open-access journal Sexual Medicine.
ISSM members are eligible to receive a subscription to Sexual Medicine Reviews as part of their membership. Not a member? Click here to join today!
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