Predictors of partnership and sexual satisfaction and dyadic effects in couples affected by endometriosis and infertility

Abstract

Purpose: Endometriosis and infertility are associated with impaired partnership and sexuality of the patients, but also of their male partners. Also, endometriosis is one of the most common causes of infertility, resulting in a large overlap of both pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine the association of different predictors of partnership and sexual satisfaction and dyadic effects in couples with endometriosis and infertility. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with n = 62 women with endometriosis and n = 46 partners, including a total of n = 44 couples, some of whom were affected by infertility. The questionnaire included items on partnership, sexuality, depression, social support, and desire for a child. Multiple linear regression and the actor-partner-interdependence-model were used for analysis. Results: Significant dyadic effects only occurred in couples with both endometriosis and infertility. Depression showed a significant negative actor effect in men for partnership satisfaction and a negative actor and partner effect in women for sexuality satisfaction (p