The Effect of Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on the Sexuality of Female Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

The aim of this study was to show the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment on sexuality that has been negatively affected in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study included 26 females diagnosed with OSAS. Analyses were made of the sociodemographic data and polysomnography (PSG) and PAP titration data. Before and after 2 months of PAP treatment, the patients were evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). There was determined to be a 2.67 +/- 5.19 unit increase in the total FSFI measurements (p = 0.015, p < 0.05) post-PAP compared to before PAP treatment, and of the FSFI subscale measurements, a 0.65 +/- 0.97 unit increase in desire (p = 0.002, p < 0.01) and a 0.75 +/- 1.80 unit increase in satisfaction (p = 0.042, p < 0.05). These increases were determined to be statistically significant. The ESS measurements showed a statistically significant decrease of 2.04 +/- 4.69 units from pre to post-PAP (p = 0.036, p < 0.05) and there was a 3.04 +/- 6.27 unit decrease in the BDI measurements (p = 0.021, p < 0.05). Correction of oxygen saturation with PAP treatment and a decrease in depressive complaints in female patients with sleep apnea may significantly improve sexual functions.