Female sexual dysfunction in functional disorders of the thyroid gland

Aim: This study is aimed to examine the prevalence, affecting factors, and reversibility of female sexual dysfunction(FSD) in functional disorders of the thyroid gland. Method: A total of 72 patients (14 clinical hypothyroid, 35 subclinical hypothyroid, 16 clinical hyperthyroid, 7 subclinical hyperthyroid) and 43 age-matched healthy controls who are premenauposal and have a stable heterosexual relationship were participated in the study. After the initial gynecological and reproductive endocrinological evaluation, the candidates who were diagnosed with a disease that might cause FSD were excluded. Female sexual function index(FSFI), Beck depression and anxiety inventories, Short Form-36 were included in the assessment. Clinical hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups were re-evaluated when they reached to the euthyroid state with the standard therapy given. Results: In both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups, FSD was increased compared to healthy controls. In all domains of FSFI, scores were decreased except desire and orgasm in hypothyroid group and lubrication in hyperthyroid group. Depression was seen significantly higher in both groups, albeit a rise in anxiety was only detected in hyperthyroid group. None of them was correlated with FSFI scores. In subgroups, FSD was determined as elevated except in subclinical hypothyroid group. In re-evaluation, there was a statistically prominent increase in overall FSFI score in both groups but it was not valid for subdomains. Conclusion: In both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups, FSD was increased compared to healthy controls. No correlation was shown between FSFI and anxiety/depression scores. In subgroups, FSD was determined as elevated except in subclinical hypothyroidism. In re-evaluation, there was a statistically prominent increase in the overall FSFI score in both groups. Key Words: female sexual dysfunction, FSFI, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism