To assess the risk factors of developing female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among women with diabetes mellitus (DM).
Material and methods: This study included 100 sexually active diabetic women and age matched 100 healthy women served as control. All participants underwent full history taking, general and genital examination and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Sexual function was evaluated by the Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
Results: FSFI score was significantly lower in patients (25.39 ± 3.25) compared to control (28.84 ± 4.26) (P=0.000). There was a significant negative correlation between FSFI score and HA1c (P=0.016, r=-0.239). HA1c level was negatively correlated to arousal (P=0.000, r=-0.383) and lubrication (P=0.05, r=-0.197). As regards the type of DM, FSFI full score was significantly lower in patients with type II DM (25.02 ± 3.21) compared to type I DM (26.51 ±3.19) (P=0.047). Desire domain score in type II DM patients (3.50 ± 0.61) was significantly lower than type I DM patients (3.96 ± 0.57) (P=0.001). Similarly, arousal domain score was significantly lower in type II group (4.01 ± 0.84) compared to type I group (4.48 ± 0.76) (P=0.016). On the contrary, no significant correlation was detected between FSFI score and age (P=0.813, r=-0.024), duration of DM (P=0.808, r=0.025), waist circumference (P=0.292, r=-0.106) and Body Mass Index (P=0.292, r=-0.106). As regards DM complications, patients with nephropathy or retinopathy had lower FSFI score compared to those without (P=0.008, P=0.042 respectively). Moreover, patients with associated hypertension showed lower FSFI compared to those without hypertension (P=0.014).
Conclusion: Poor glycemic control in diabetic women is a risk factor for developing FSD. Type II DM seems to have a greater negative impact on female sexual function than type I DM. Patients with diabetic nephropathy or retinopathy are at risk of developing FSD. Hypertension is a risk factor for FSD in diabetic women.