Sexual dysfunction in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional single-centre study among Turkish patients

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of female sexual function and related factors in Turkish women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 93 female patients diagnosed with T2DM (age 48.0 +/- 7.2 years (Mean +/- SD) were included. Data on age, diabetes age, HbA1c level, educational level, diabetes treatment, diabetes-related complications, co-morbid disorders and concomitant medications were recorded, as were the scores obtained using a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Sexual dysfunction was noted in 55.9% of patients including problems related to desire (60.2%), arousal (52.7%), lubrication (55.9%), orgasm (51.6%) and satisfaction (58.1%) as well as pain during sexual intercourse (54.8%). Total scores were correlated negatively to age (r = -0.329, p = 0.001) and duration of diabetes (r = -0.246, p = 0.018), while significantly higher in patients with than without hypertension (19.6 vs. 22.4, p = 0.012) and with than without insulin therapy (20.0 vs. 23.7, p = 0.050). Our findings indicate the adverse effects of T2DM on sexual function in 55.9% of women in all domains of sexual response cycle, although this seems to be associated with older age, longer duration of diabetes, insulin and antidepressant therapy, presence of hypertension as well as end-organ complications of neuropathy and coronary artery disease (CAD).