Sexual function in women with Turner syndrome in Lithuanian population

Abstract

Introduction: Turner syndrome (TS) - is a rare chromosomal disorder, caused by the loss of one sex chromosome and affects growth and sexual development in females. This condition occurs in 1 of 2,500 newborn girls worldwide [1, 2, 3]. In the light of current achievements of reproductive medicine, more and more women with TS are seeking successful partnership but still little is known about their sexual function. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the sexual function in the women with TS in Lithuanian population. [...]. Methods and Materials: The study was undertaken at the Department of Endocrinology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. 32 women with TS aged 18-45 years were enrolled and compared with aged-matched healthy counterparts. The sexual function was investigated by The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Women with total FSFI scores of less than 26.55 were classified as “being at risk” for female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Standard anthropometric measurements (body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio) were evaluated. The participants were classified with the BMI cut off value of 25kg/m2 and with a waist-hip ratio as <0.85 or ≥0.85. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual function in the women with Turner syndrome in Lithuanian population. Methods The study was undertaken at the Department of Endocrinology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. 32 women with TS aged 18-45 years were enrolled and compared with aged-matched healthy counterparts. The sexual function was investigated by The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Women with total FSFI scores of less than 26.55 were classified as “being at risk” for sexual dysfunction. Standard anthropometric measurements (weight, eight, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio) were evaluated. The participants were classified with the BMI cut off value of 25kg/m2 and with a waist-hip ratio as < 0.85 or ≥ 0.85. Results 55% (n=17) of women with TS did not have a stable relationship, 39% (n=13) had a partner and 6% (n=2) were divorced. Mean FSFI score in sexually active females with TS (n=13) did not differ if compare with controls (p=0.92), but women with TS reported a lower arousal (p=0.015) and orgasm (p=0.041) scores. TS women with BMI lower than 25kg/m2 (n=10) had better sexual function (28.79±2.49 vs. 24.46±3.75 (p=0.002)) and reported better arousal (p=0.006), orgasm (p=0.046) and satisfaction with their sexual function (p=0.013) if compare with TS patients with higher than 25kg/m2 BMI. TS females with waist-hip ratio<0.85 had better sexual function if compare with TS women with waist-hip ratio >0.85 (28.79±2.49 vs. 24.66±5.71 (p = 0.058 Conclusion The sexual function of sexually active TS women did not differ when compared with the age-matched controls. The higher score of FSFI were reported by TS women with the lower BMI and waist-hip ratio < 0.85.