Impaired Lipid Profile is a Risk Factor for the Development of Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Association between cardiovascular disease and risk of female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a considerably underestimated condition. It has been repeatedly reported that patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may suffer from an increased risk of FSD. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic evaluation of various CVD and FSD. We aimed to elucidate the association between CVD and FSD through a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched from inception to 28 February 2023. We identified all relevant studies reporting the risk of FSD in subjects with or without CVD. The associations between CVD and the risk of FSD were assessed by calculating pooled odds ratios (ORs) (cross-sectional studies) and risk ratios (RRs) (longitudinal studies) with 95% CIs. We employed random-effects models to account for potential heterogeneity, and the quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Fifty-four articles with 148 946 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with control subjects, subjects with CVD had a 1.51-fold increased risk of FSD (OR 1.51 95% CI, 1.34-1.69, P < 0.001, heterogeneity I2 = 91.4%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated that the association between CVD and FSD remained significant in longitudinal studies (RR 1.50 95% CI, 1.21-1.86, P < 0.001, heterogeneity I2 = 86.7%, P < 0.001). Particularly, hypertension (OR 1.41 95% CI, 1.23-1.62, P < 0.001, heterogeneity I2 = 82.7%, P < 0.001), stroke (OR 1.81 95% CI, 1.54-2.12, P < 0.001, heterogeneity I2 = 0%, P < 0.423), and myocardial infarction (OR 2.07 95% CI, 1.60-2.67, P < 0.001 heterogeneity I2 = 82.4%, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with FSD. Meta-regression revealed that the primary sources of heterogeneity in FSD are attributable to adjustments for covariates, study design, and study population.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicated that patients with CVD suffer from a greater risk of developing FSD. Meanwhile, we validated these findings in longitudinal queues. Notably, conditions such as hypertension, stroke, and myocardial infarction demonstrated a significant association with the incidence of FSD.

Sexual function scores are associated with arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has been suggested to be correlated with the burden of cardiovascular risk factors.

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the possible association between functional indices of vascular function and FSD scores in apparently healthy postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 116 postmenopausal women who underwent assessment of endothelial function with measurement of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the branchial artery and arterial stiffness estimation with measurement of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). We used the Greene Climacteric Scale to evaluate vasomotor symptomatology, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to evaluate FSD and the Beck Depression Inventory to evaluate mood disorder. Low sexual function was defined as an FSFI score <26.55.

OUTCOMES

These included FSFI and low sexual function scores as well as measures of PWV and FMD.

RESULTS

Sexual function scores were associated with measures of blood pressure (normal vs low sexual function; systolic blood pressure: 120.2 ± 15.0 mm Hg vs 113.4 ± 14.6 mm Hg; analysis of covariance P = .026; diastolic blood pressure: 75.9 ± 10.5 mm Hg vs 70.3 ± 9.9 mm Hg; analysis of covariance P = .012; both adjusted for age, body mass index, current smoking, and PWV). Systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, was associated with FSFI (B = 0.249, P = .041) and PWV (B = 0.392, P < .001). PWV measures were associated with FSFI (B = -0.291, P = .047) and pulse pressure (B = 0.355, P = .017). FMD measures were also associated with FSFI (B = 0.427, P = .033). All models were adjusted for age, body mass index, current smoking, insulin resistance, vasomotor symptomatology, and Beck Depression Inventory.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our findings demonstrate that lower scores of sexual function are associated with deteriorated vascular function mainly manifested as arterial stiffening, further contributing to systolic blood pressure changes.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

The strength of this study is the carefully selected healthy sample of postmenopausal women, with simultaneous assessment of climacteric symptomatology and mood disorders. The limitations include the small sample size, the cross-sectional design, and the recruitment of consecutive outpatients of a university menopause clinic.

CONCLUSION

Longitudinal studies and interventions to improve FSD should further assess the clinical relevance of these findings.

Global prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Sexual dysfunction is a common disorder among women, especially during menopause. Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial disease that, according to previous studies, there is a relationship between the metabolic syndrome and sexual dysfunction among women. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to obtain the prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) among women with metabolic syndrome, and to analyze available related evidence.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the keywords of MeSH, female sexual dysfunction, FSD, metabolic syndrome were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The searches were conducted without a lower time limit and until May 2022.

Results

The prevalence of FSD among women with metabolic syndrome was found to be 39.3% (95% CI: 28.3-51.5). In the subgroup analysis and in the review of 4 studies, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome was 49.8% (95% CI: 26.1-73.6). Analyzing the results of the meta-regression test in examining the effect of the three factors of sample size, year of the study, age, and BMI of the patients on the heterogeneity of the meta-analysis, showed that with the increase of the sample size, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with metabolic syndrome decreases (p < 0.05). Moreover, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with metabolic syndrome increases (p < 0.05) with the increase in the years of conducting studies and the mean of age of women with metabolic syndrome. Also, with increasing mean of BMI of female patients with metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in these women also increases (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Female sexual dysfunction is a global health problem that can affect women's life to a great extent. Metabolic syndrome, which is a set of factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, affects sexual dysfunction in women. From this study, it can be concluded that there is a close relationship between metabolic syndrome and female sexual dysfunction.

“Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the management of female sexual dysfunction: Literature reviews and study design of a clinical trial”

Hormone imbalance and female sexual dysfunction immensely affect perimenopausal female health and quality of life. Hormone therapy can improve female hormone deficiency, but long-term use increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel effective treatment to achieve long-term improvement in female general and sexual health. This study reviewed factors affecting syndromes of female sexual dysfunction and its current therapy options. Next, the authors introduced research data on mesenchymal stromal cell/mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy to treat female reproductive diseases, including Asherman’s syndrome, premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency, and vaginal atrophy. Among adult tissue-derived MSCs, adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have emerged as the most potent therapeutic cell therapy due to their abundant presence in the stromal vascular fraction of fat, high proliferation capacity, superior immunomodulation, and strong secretion profile of regenerative factors. Potential mechanisms and side effects of ASCs for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction will be discussed. Our phase I clinical trial has demonstrated the safety of autologous ASC therapy for women and men with sexual hormone deficiency. We designed the first randomized controlled crossover phase II trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of autologous ASCs to treat female sexual dysfunction in perimenopausal women. Here, we introduce the rationale, trial design, and methodology of this clinical study. Because aging and metabolic diseases negatively impact the bioactivity of adult-derived MSCs, this study will use ASCs cultured in physiological oxygen tension (5%) to cope with these challenges. A total of 130 perimenopausal women with sexual dysfunction will receive two intravenous infusions of autologous ASCs in a crossover design. The aims of the proposed study are to evaluate 1) the safety of cell infusion based on the frequency and severity of adverse events/serious adverse events during infusion and follow-up and 2) improvements in female sexual function assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQOL), and the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol. In addition, cellular aging biomarkers, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), p16 and p21 expression in T cells and the inflammatory cytokine profile, will also be characterized. Overall, this study will provide essential insights into the effects and potential mechanisms of ASC therapy for perimenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. It also suggests direction and design strategies for future research.

Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Type 1, 2 Diabetes and Thyroid Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Background

Women with diabetes mellitus or thyroid disorders are at risk of sexual dysfunction. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in women with diabetes and/or thyroid disorders and the impact of disease control on the ASEX score.

Methods

A cross-sectional study for female patients who had a routine clinic visits was included. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) was used to evaluate for FSD. Those with a total score of ≥19 or scored ≥5 on any item or ≥4 on three items were considered to have FSD.

Results

A total of 253 female patients with a mean age of 39.1 ± 7.3 years were included. Two-thirds of the participants have no FSD. More than half (57.7%) of the participants had a strong desire for sex, and about 20% of the participants were unsatisfied with their orgasm. Compared to those with no FSD, those with FSD had lower BMI (P = 0.375), more likely to have a master's degree or higher (P = 0.117), diabetes (P = 0.879), hypothyroidism (P = 0.625), diabetes-related microvascular and macrovascular complications (P = 0.049), higher HbA1c, fasting glucose, and TSH (P = 0.731, P = 0.161, and P = 0.561, respectively), lower total cholesterol and LDL (P = 0.368 and P = 0.339, respectively), and exercise more regularly (P = 0.929).

Conclusion

FSD was highly prevalent in our study population. Those with type 1 diabetes had the highest ASEX scores. We showed non-significant negative correlations between total ASEX score and both BMI and TSH, as well as a non-significant positive correlation between total ASEX score and both HbA1c and fasting glucose value.

Lower sexual satisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multi-symptom disorder linked with a range of metabolic and hormonal disturbances. Psychological and sexual aspects of PCOS also need to be considered.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to assess sexual satisfaction (SS) in PCOS patients and eumenorrheic controls (CON). The relationships between SS, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and hormonal and metabolic profiles were evaluated.

METHODS

In this study, 190 patients with PCOS (mean age 26.34 ± 5.47 years) and 197 age-matched CON (mean age 27.12 ± 4.97 years) were enrolled. All subjects completed Polish version of the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess hormonal, lipid, and glucose profiles. Anthropometric measures were collected. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was evaluated according to the IDF-AHA/NHLBI criteria.

RESULTS

Patients with PCOS and MS had lower SS vs non-MS-PCOS. There were no significant differences in the level of SS, presence of depressive symptoms, or HRQoL between PCOS and CON (P > 0.05). Negative correlations were found between the SS level and BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio in PCOS women. However, overweight or obese PCOS women did not differ in SS levels vs normal-weight PCOS patients. The social dimension of WHOQOL-BREF was the only significant predictor of SS in PCOS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SS in PCOS women appears to be undisturbed. However, MS in PCOS patients could negatively influence SS. The level of SS should be assessed in PCOS women, especially if MS is present.

Sexual dysfunction in female subjects with beta-thalassemia minor

Beta thalassemia minor (BTM) is a hereditary disease caused by defective globin synthesis and it is frequently asymptomatic or only mildly anemic. Female sexual dysfunction affects 21-41% of women worldwide. In this study we aimed to investigate female sexual dysfunction in subjects with BTM. A total of 183 subjects who had regular sexual intercourse with marital partners were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The study group was comprised of 87 subjects with BTM and the control group included 96 healthy subjects. Hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed in all subjects, and all participants were assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). The FSFI scores of the study group were significantly lower than in the control group (19.1 ± 9.6 vs. 25.2 ± 6.6, p < 0.001). Conversely, the ASEX scores of the study group were higher than in the control group (15.2 ± 41 vs. 13.5 ± 6.1, p = 0.0085). Sexual functions were poor in subjects with BTM in this study and we conclude that certain metabolic diseases associated with BTM, such as insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, may be the main causes of sexual dysfunctions in these subjects.

Sexual function through decades: association with androgens and cardiometabolic features

Aim: This study aimed to determine the change in sexual function among Turkish women through decades and to define the association between sexual dysfunction and androgens and cardiometabolic features.Materials and methods: A total of 206 postmenopausal women aged 50-69 years and 210 premenopausal women aged 30-49 years who applied to menopause and gynecology clinics at a university-affiliated education and research hospital were included in this prospective study. Groups were constructed according to decades (i.e., 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years). Sexual function was assessed between the groups, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Cardiometabolic features and androgen levels were also compared between the groups.Results: Sexual function determined at each decade by FSFI scores were 27.18, 23.11, 18.40, and 11.35, respectively (fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh decade). Desire, arousal, and satisfaction domains tended to be lower in the 40s than in the 30s. As time passes after the 30s, the total FSFI score decreased until the late 60s. Serum total testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHEAS) levels decreased through the decades. There was no correlation between cardiometabolic features, androgens, and FSFI scores.Conclusion: According to our survey, sexual function decreases starting at the age of 30 and continues to drop until the late 60s among postmenopausal women. There was no association between sexual dysfunction and androgen levels in premenopausal women. The serum DHEAS level was associated with sexual dysfunction only among postmenopausal women. There was no association between sexual dysfunction and cardiometabolic features in either premenopausal or postmenopausal women.

How Is the Sexual Function of Premenopausal Chinese Women Without Hyperlipidemia?

Introduction

Most premenopausal women in China have normal lipid profiles while the sexual function among them was scarcely demonstrated.

Aim

To find out the characteristics of the sexual function in premenopausal Chinese women without hyperlipidemia using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed to find out the characteristics of sexual function in premenopausal Chinese women without hyperlipidemia. Between January 2019 and March 2019, we recruited 216 women, 25–49 years of age. Data from questionnaires and health checkups were collected and analyzed.

Main Outcome Measure

We report the prevalence of and factors related to female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in premenopausal Chinese women without hyperlipidemia in accordance with the FSFI and the GRISS.

Results

The prevalence of FSD in our study was 46.2%. The mean age was 38.07 ± 6.94 years. More highly educated women suffered from FSD than those in the control group (61.1% vs 35.2%, P < .05). Binge eating was significantly different between the groups (P = .023). Multiple logistic regression analyses demonstrated that total cholesterol level was positively associated with low desire (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.10–4.13; P = .025) and so was the low-density lipoprotein level (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.03–4.62; P = .0.041). The high-density lipoprotein level was inversely associated with infrequency (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06–0.59; P = .004). More women with FSD had orgasm disorder than those in the control group, for 83.3% vs 35.2% in the FSFI (P < .001), 88.9% vs 54.3% in the GRISS (P < .001), respectively. Dissatisfaction remained the most common issue for the control group in both the FSFI and the GRISS (90.50% and 58.10%, respectively).

Conclusions

FSD is frequent in premenopausal Chinese women without hyperlipidemia. Dissatisfaction as the common problem influenced over half of them and orgasm disorder is a severe sexual issue for women with FSD.

Xiang Y, Tang Y, Li J, et al. How Is the Sexual Function of Premenopausal Chinese Women Without Hyperlipidemia. J Sex Med 2019;8:65–75.

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components on Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Narrative Mini-Review

Background

The impact of metabolic syndrome on female sexual dysfunction received modest consideration in clinical practice. The aim of the research was to analyze the international literature to determine the relationship between the metabolic syndrome, its components and female sexual disorders.

Methods

We identified relevant full-length papers by electronic databases as Index Medicus/Medline, Scopus, Life Science Journals, from 2005 to the present. Studies were searched using the following as search query: metabolic syndrome, female sexual dysfunction, obesity, systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia.

Results

Women with metabolic syndrome showed higher prevalence of sexual inactivity and low sexual desire, orgasm and satisfaction respect to women without metabolic syndrome. Particularly metabolic components as diabetes mellitus, dy-slipidemia, systemic arterial hypertension were strongly associated with lower sexual desire, activity and Female Sexual Function Index total score. In contrast, other studies showed no relationship.

Conclusion

Our study showed that in the clinical evaluation of women with metabolic syndrome routine inquiring about female sexual dysfunction should be recommended to ameliorate sexual function and quality of life. However more prospective and longitudinal studies on the sexual effects of metabolic syndrome should also be suggested to know the factors related to women's sexuality better.