Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Type 1 Diabetes
A controlled study
- Paul Enzlin, MA12,
- Chantal Mathieu, MD, PHD3,
- Annick Van den Bruel, MD3,
- Jan Bosteels, MD4,
- Dirk Vanderschueren, MD, PHD25 and
- Koen Demyttenaere, MD, PHD12
- 1Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
- 2Institute of Family and Sexuality Studies, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium
- 3Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
- 4Department of Gynaecology, Imeldaziekenhuis, Bonheiden, Belgium
- 5Department of Andrology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
Abstract
OBJECTIVE—This study aimed to 1) examine the prevalence of sexual problems in women with type 1 diabetes, 2) compare this prevalence rate with that of an age-matched control group, 3) study the influence of diabetes-related somatic factors on female sexuality, and 4) study the influence of psychological variables on the sexual functioning of both groups.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 120 women with diabetes visiting the outpatient diabetes clinic completed questionnaires evaluating psychological adjustment to diabetes, marital satisfaction, depression, and sexual functioning. Medical records were used to obtain data on HbA1c, use of medication, BMI, and early-onset microvascular complications. An age-matched control group of 180 healthy women attending an outpatient gynecological clinic for preventive routine gynecological assessment also completed the non–diabetes-related questionnaires.
RESULTS—More women with diabetes than control subjects reported sexual dysfunction (27 vs. 15%; P = 0.04), but a significant difference was found only for decreased lubrication. No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, BMI, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, use of medication, menopausal status, or complications. Women with more complications, however, reported significantly more sexual dysfunctions, and the presence of complications altered treatment satisfaction. Both diabetic and control women with sexual dysfunction mentioned lower overall quality of the marital relation and more depressive symptoms than their respective counterparts without sexual problems. Depression was a significant predictor for sexual dysfunction in both women with diabetes and control subjects.
CONCLUSIONS—Sexual problems are frequent in women with diabetes. They affect the overall quality of life and deserve more attention in clinical practice and research.
- ADS, Appraisal of Diabetes Scale
- ATT19, Diabetes Integration Scale
- BDI, Beck Depression Inventory
- DAS, Dyadic Adjustment Scale
- mwU, Mann-Whitney U test
- UKU, Udvalg for Kliniske Undersoegelser
Footnotes
-
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Paul Enzlin, UZ Gasthuisberg, Department of Psychiatry, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: paul.enzlin{at}uz.kuleuven.ac.be.
Received for publication 26 June 2001 and accepted in revised form 29 December 2001.
A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
- DIABETES CARE
