Endocrine Abstracts

It has been generally assumed that partner’s erectile dysfunction (ED), premature (PE) and delayed ejaculation (DE) play a significant role in determining Female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The present study aimed to evaluate the role of perceived male partner’s sexual function and of the referred quality of relationship in determining FSD. A consecutive series of 156 heterosexual women consulting our outpatient clinic for FSD between January and December 2014 was retrospectively studied. All patients underwent a structured interview and filled out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

No significant association was observed between FSFI total score and cardiovascular risk factors or investigated metabolic parameters. When relational parameters were evaluated, FSFI total score decreased as a function of partner’s age, conflicts within the couple, a relationship without cohabitation and the habit of engaging in intercourse to please the partner (P<0.05); FSFI total score increased as a function of frequency of intercourse, attempts to conceive and fertility-focused intercourse (P<0.05). FSFI total score showed a negative, stepwise correlation with partner’s perceived hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) (r=−0.327; P<0.0001), whereas no significant correlation was found between FSFI and ED, PE or DE. In an age-adjusted model, partner’s HSD was negatively related to FSFI total score (Wald=9.196, P=0.002), and arousal (Wald=7.893, P=0.005), lubrication (Wald=5.042, P=0.025), orgasm (Wald=9.293, P=0.002), satisfaction (Wald=12.764, P<0.0001) and pain (Wald=6.492, P=0.011) domains. Partner’s HSD was also significantly associated with somatized anxiety, low frequency of intercourse, low partner’s care for the patient’s sexual pleasure and with a higher frequency of masturbation, even after adjusting for age (P<0.05). In patients not reporting any HSD, FSFI total score was significantly lower when their partner’s libido was low (P=0.041); the correlation disappeared if the patient also experienced HSD.

In conclusion, the partner’s performance during sexual intercourse, in terms of erectile function and ejaculatory times, does not seem to act as a primary contributing factor to FSD, as determined by FSFI scores; conversely, women’s sexuality seems to be mostly impaired by the perceived reduction of their partner’s sexual interest.