Journal article
Impact of body iron store on sexual function: a comprehensive review and pilot cohort study in midlife women.
- Hartmann CJ Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Sutter B Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Thun, Thun, Switzerland.
- Fehr M Department of General Surgery, Hospital of Muensingen, Münsingen, Switzerland.
- Stute P Department of Gynaecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 19, 3010, Bern, Switzerland. petra.stute@insel.ch.
- 2019-06-08
Published in:
- Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. - 2019
Ferritin
Healthy midlife women
Iron deficiency (anaemia)
Libido
Sexual (dys)function
Aged
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Cohort Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Iron
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
Surveys and Questionnaires
English
PURPOSE
Both iron deficiency (ID) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) affect more than 25% of the world population. The aim of this study was to identify a connection between these two conditions based on the existing literature and to investigate this interrelation in a small pilot cross-sectional study.
METHODS
A database search for publications referring to ID and FSD was conducted. The resulting common denominators were used to formulate hypotheses regarding the interaction of these diseases. Simultaneously, 45 healthy middle-aged women completed questionnaires about their sexual function and provided a blood sample for the purpose of determining ferritin and haemoglobin levels. The main outcome measures included an analysis of responses to questions on sexuality and partnership and of blood ferritin and haemoglobin levels. The secondary outcomes included an assessment of further influences on libido, such as sex hormones, menopausal status, health, and life satisfaction.
RESULTS
Altered monoaminergic cerebral metabolism, hyperprolactinaemia and hypothyroidism, impaired socioemotional interaction, increased anxiety, and depression in both, ID and FSD, account for the most comprehensive explanations for the postulated association between the two conditions. Despite a feasible assumption, our empirical findings failed to demonstrate any correlation between ID and FSD. We identified a certain impact of menopausal hormonal status on sexual function.
CONCLUSION
ID has no influence on FSD in the given population, although the literature suggests that FSD may at least be partly due to ID. Further research seems justified given the potential advantages for sexual health, considering that ID is an easily treatable disease.
Both iron deficiency (ID) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) affect more than 25% of the world population. The aim of this study was to identify a connection between these two conditions based on the existing literature and to investigate this interrelation in a small pilot cross-sectional study.
METHODS
A database search for publications referring to ID and FSD was conducted. The resulting common denominators were used to formulate hypotheses regarding the interaction of these diseases. Simultaneously, 45 healthy middle-aged women completed questionnaires about their sexual function and provided a blood sample for the purpose of determining ferritin and haemoglobin levels. The main outcome measures included an analysis of responses to questions on sexuality and partnership and of blood ferritin and haemoglobin levels. The secondary outcomes included an assessment of further influences on libido, such as sex hormones, menopausal status, health, and life satisfaction.
RESULTS
Altered monoaminergic cerebral metabolism, hyperprolactinaemia and hypothyroidism, impaired socioemotional interaction, increased anxiety, and depression in both, ID and FSD, account for the most comprehensive explanations for the postulated association between the two conditions. Despite a feasible assumption, our empirical findings failed to demonstrate any correlation between ID and FSD. We identified a certain impact of menopausal hormonal status on sexual function.
CONCLUSION
ID has no influence on FSD in the given population, although the literature suggests that FSD may at least be partly due to ID. Further research seems justified given the potential advantages for sexual health, considering that ID is an easily treatable disease.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1007/s00404-019-05206-9
- PMID 31172305
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/279024
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