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The metabolic syndrome: a cause of sexual dysfunction in women

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 17, pages 224–226 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant public health problem. We assessed the prevalence of FSD in premenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome as compared to the general female population. Compared with the control group (N=80), women with the metabolic syndrome (N=120) had reduced mean full Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score (23.2±5.4 vs 30.1±4.7, P<0.001), reduced satisfaction rate (3.5±1.1 vs 4.7±1.2, P<0.01), and higher circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP: 2.2 (0.6/4.9) vs 0.8 (0.2/2.9) mg/l, median (interquartile range), P=0.01). There was an inverse relation between CRP levels and FSFI score (r=−0.32, P=0.02). Investigation of female sexuality is suggested for patients with the metabolic syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    K Esposito, R Marfella, D Di Tommaso & D Giugliano

  2. Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproduction, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    M Ciotola & L Cobellis

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  1. K Esposito
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  2. M Ciotola
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  3. R Marfella
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  4. D Di Tommaso
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  5. L Cobellis
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  6. D Giugliano
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Correspondence to K Esposito.

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Esposito, K., Ciotola, M., Marfella, R. et al. The metabolic syndrome: a cause of sexual dysfunction in women. Int J Impot Res 17, 224–226 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901310

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901310

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