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The impact of genital warts on sexual function and sexuality-related distress in late adolescence

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 34, pages 790–794 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Adolescence is a transition period during which sexual experiences gain importance. Genital warts are sexually transmitted lesions that have been shown to negatively affect sexual perception. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of genital warts on female sexual function and sexuality-related distress in adolescence. A total of 90 female adolescents between the ages of 17 and 21 who had regular sexual intercourse with heterosexual partners were included in this prospective case–control study. Female Sexual Function Index, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised scores of adolescents with genital warts (n = 45) were compared to healthy subjects (n = 45). Total Female Sexual Function Index and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale scores revealed significant dysfunction in adolescents with genital warts (20.7 ± 4.13 (20.9) vs. 28.2 ± 3.51 (28.7), p < 0.0001; 17.1 ± 3.61 (17) vs. 13.02 ± 3.01 (13), p < 0.0001, respectively). Total Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised score was significantly decreased in the presence of genital warts (23.82 ± 9.73 (23) vs. 8.8 ± 7.38 (6), p < 0.0001). Significant correlations were found between the total Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised score and the total Female Sexual Function Index score, and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale score (r = −0.78, p < 0.0001; r = 0.68, p < 0.0001, respectively). This study revealed that genital warts have significantly unfavorable effects on sexuality in adolescence leading to sexual dysfunction as well as sexuality-related distress. Regarding to the present findings, promoting sexual health in addition to physical well-being may increase success in clinical management of genital warts.

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Fig. 1: Scatter plot demonstration for correlation analysis results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    E. M. Erol Koc, H. Akkaya, M. G. Ozaksit & O. Moraloglu Tekin

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  1. E. M. Erol Koc
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  2. H. Akkaya
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  3. M. G. Ozaksit
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  4. O. Moraloglu Tekin
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EMEK was responsible for data collection, writing the manuscript, interpreting the results and approval of final version. HA was responsible for study design, analyzing the data, writing the manuscript and approval of final version. MGO was responsible for writing the manuscript and approval of final version. OMT was responsible for writing the manuscript and approval of final version.

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Correspondence to E. M. Erol Koc.

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Erol Koc, E.M., Akkaya, H., Ozaksit, M.G. et al. The impact of genital warts on sexual function and sexuality-related distress in late adolescence. Int J Impot Res 34, 790–794 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-021-00478-9

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