Sexual Function in Women with Androgen Excess Disorders: Classic Forms of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

June 2020 in “ Journal of Endocrinological Investigation ”

Anna Kępczyńska-Nyk, Alina Kurylowicz, A Nowak, Tomasz Bednarczuk, Urszula Ambroziak

congenital adrenal hyperplasia CAH polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS androgen excess Female Sexual Function Index FSFI dyspareunia sexual dysfunction hormones adrenal hyperplasia ovary syndrome sexual function index painful intercourse

TLDR Women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have more sexual function issues than those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but physical activity can improve sexual functioning in all women.

The 2020 study by Kępczyńska-Nyk et al. involved 104 women, 21 with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), 63 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 20 healthy controls. The study found that women with CAH had impaired sexual functions compared to those with PCOS, with lower scores in lubrication, sexual satisfaction, and dyspareunia. Sexual dysfunction was diagnosed in 80.95% of women with CAH and 33.33% of women with PCOS. Physical activity was associated with better sexual functioning in all women. In the CAH group, a higher prevalence of homosexuality was found. However, the study had limitations, including the lack of validation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in bi- and homosexual women, and the limited number of participants.

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Research cited in this study

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research Sexual Function and Depressive Symptoms in Young Women With Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

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Sexual Function in Women with Androgen Excess Disorders: Classic Forms of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Sexual Function in Women with Androgen Excess Disorders: Classic Forms of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

5 citations, June 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

Women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have more sexual function issues than those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but physical activity can improve sexual functioning in all women.