Assessment of Sexual Quality of Life and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships Among Women With Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

• Published in: Journal of sex & marital therapy Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 263 - 272
• Main Authors: Alcalde, Ana M., Martínez-Zamora, María Ángeles, Gracia, Meritxell, Ros, Cristina, Rius, Mariona, Carmona, Francisco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 01-04-2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adenomyosis - complications; Couples; Endometriosis; Endometriosis - complications; Female; Gynecological diseases; Humans; Personal Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography; Women
• ISSN: 0092-623X; 1521-0715
• DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1986444

Adenomyosis and endometriosis are similar gynecological diseases that decrease sexual quality of life and, in the case of endometriosis, satisfaction in couple relationships. This study aimed to assess sexual quality of life and couple satisfaction in women diagnosed with adenomyosis (AD) or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The study population included three groups of couples: one composed of 58 couples in which the woman was diagnosed with AD by transvaginal ultrasound (AD group), a second group comprising 55 couples in which the woman was diagnosed with isolated DIE by transvaginal ultrasound (DIE group), and a third group composed of 60 couples in which the women did not have AD or endometriosis (non-AD/DIE group). All women completed the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire, and all the couples completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Sexual quality of life was significantly worse in women with AD or DIE compared with non-AD/DIE controls. Dyadic adjustment was significantly worse in the AD and DIE groups compared with the non-AD/DIE group. AD and DIE may impair quality of sexual life and couple relationships. Clinicians should be aware of this issue when treating women with AD or DIE.