Sexual dysfunction among women with type 2 diabetes and its relationship with well-being, anxiety and depression

Abstract

Aims: To examine whether Polish women with type 2 diabetes suffer from sexual dysfunction/dissatisfaction, and if so, to investigate an association between the severity of sexual problems and well-being, anxiety and depression in this group. Material and Methods: We surveyed 60 women aged 42-76 years (M = 59.25, SD = 9.14), using the following questionnaires: the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Sexological Questionnaire Part B, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and the Brief Self-Rating Scale of Depression and Anxiety. Results: Two-thirds of respondents (75%, N = 45) complained that they did not experience orgasm (anorgasmia), 63.3% (N = 38) showed a lack or loss of sexual desire, and 50% (N = 30) had no genital response to sexual stimuli and/or experienced sex aversion. There was no significant relationship between well-being, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the severity of sexual dysfunction. Discussion: Our findings indicate that sexual dysfunction is more prevalent than shown in other studies, but the study had significant limitations due to a small number of participants and lack of a pair-matched control group. The findings should be interpreted with caution and it would be important to confirm these results in future studies, with a larger group of participants Conclusions: Polish women with type 2 diabetes commonly experience symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Wellbeing, depressive and anxiety symptoms appear to co-occur with symptoms of sexual dysfunction.