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Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome as a potential cause of sexual dysfunction in women

Sexual dysfunction in women

  • Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Original Article
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Abstract

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as the cessation of respiration due to recurrent and partial or complete blockade of the upper airways during sleep. Nocturnal hypoxemia due to OSA may accompany these conditions, with significant negative impact on the life quality of patients leading to mental and/or sexual dysfunction. OSA as a cause of sexual dysfunction in women has been subject to very little research. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of OSA on sexual functions in women suffering from this disorder.

Methods

Patients with OSA were categorized into two groups, those with and those without sexual dysfunction.

Results

When women with OSA and healthy women were compared, age (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (p < 0.001), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (p = 0.001), there was a significant difference in the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), (p = 0.02). When women with OSA were compared in terms of sexual dysfunction, a significant difference was found in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (p = 0.01) and ASEX (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in hormonal parameters between the two groups.

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction in females is a largely under-recognized but important condition. Symptoms caused by OSA may include sexual dysfunction which may increase the prevalence of depression and anxiety, further reducing the quality of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chest Disease, Mardin State Hospital, Mardin, Turkey

    Mehmet Kabak

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Mardin State Hospital, Mardin, Turkey

    Mahir Akbudak

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  1. Mehmet Kabak
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  2. Mahir Akbudak
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Correspondence to Mehmet Kabak.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethics committee approval for the study was obtained from Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Ethics Committee with number 143.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Kabak, M., Akbudak, M. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome as a potential cause of sexual dysfunction in women. Sleep Breath 25, 1511–1517 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-020-02275-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-020-02275-y

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