Evaluation of the quality of life and sexual functions of women with thyroid dysfunction

Evaluation of the Quality of Life and Sexual Functions of Women With Thyroid Dysfunction Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life and sexual function of women with thyroid dysfunction. Material and Method: Data of the descriptive study were collected from 166 women patients with thyroid dysfunction admitted to the General Surgery Policlinic at Artvin State Hospital between October 10, 2016 and February 10, 2017. In collecting the data; Questionnaire form, quality of life (SF-36) and female sexual function scale were used. Results: The mean level of quality of life and sexual function of the patients was found to be significantly lower. It was found that the mean quality of life scores of patients with low education level, housewife, living in village, non-smoking, arranged married and thinking sexuality is not important were significantly lower. There was a negative correlation between age, marriage age, body mass index, waist circumference, duration of illness and quality of life, and positively significant correlation between sexual function and quality of life scores. It was found that there was positively significant relationship between age of marriage and sexual function score and negative correlation between waist circumference and duration of illness. It was found that the mean sexual function scores of patients with low education level, housewife, living in village, non-smoking, arranged married and thinking sexuality is not important were significantly lower. Conclusion: Patients' quality of life and sexual functioning scores were found to be lower. It was found that the quality of life and sexual function of the patients with low education level, live in the village, obese and thinking the sexuality is not important are found to be worse. It was found that with the improvement of sexual functions the quality of life increases. It is suggested that nurses should initiate attempts to improve the quality of life of women with thyroid dysfunction and to improve their sexual function by using their training and counseling roles to. Keywords: Sexual function, physical health, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, mental health