Impact of Iron Supplementation on Sexual Dysfunction of Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia in Short Term: A Preliminary Study

• Published in: Journal of sexual medicine Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 1042 - 1046
• Main Authors: Gulmez, Hakan, Akin, Yigit, Savas, Murat, Gulum, Mehmet, Ciftci, Halil, Yalcinkaya, Soner, Yeni, Ercan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-04-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - blood; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - complications; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - therapy; Anxiety; Dietary Supplements; Factors Associated with Female Sexual Dysfunction; Female; Hematinics - administration & dosage; Hematocrit - methods; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humans; Iron - administration & dosage; Iron - metabolism; Iron Deficiency Anemia; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - blood; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - etiology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - therapy; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - blood; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - etiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - therapy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sexual Dysfunction; Quality of Life; Anxiety; Factors Associated with Female Sexual Dysfunction; Iron Deficiency Anemia
• ISSN: 1743-6095; 1743-6109
• DOI: 10.1111/jsm.12454

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. It is an important health problem especially in women of reproductive age. IDA may cause anxiety, which is the major factor for female sexual dysfunction (FSD).
The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of IDA on FSD in women of reproductive age.
In total, 207 women were enrolled. Women with IDA who were admitted in an outpatient clinic of family medicine were asked to complete Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed before and after IDA treatments. Blood samples were obtained for measurements of hemoglobin, hematocrit, levels of serum iron, and iron‐binding capacity.
Outcomes of blood samples were used for diagnosing of IDA. BAI, FSFI, and QoL scores were evaluated. Paired samples t‐tests and Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess relationship between findings of IDA treatments and other parameters.
The mean age was 33.6 ± 8.4 years. There were statistical significant differences between pre‐ and posttreatment in terms of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, and serum iron‐binding capacity. BAI scores were decreased and FSFI scores, which were statistically significant, increased after IDA treatments (P < 0.001). However, QoL scores were developed without statistical significance.
There is a risk for anxiety as well as FSD in IDA women of reproductive age. Treatment of IDA can significantly improve sexual functions and QoL in these women population in short term. Gulmez H, Akin Y, Savas M, Gulum M, Ciftci H, Yalcinkaya S, and Yeni E. Impact of iron supplementation on sexual dysfunction of women with iron deficiency anemia in short term: A preliminary study. J Sex Med 2014;11:1042–1046.