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Sexual functioning in women with eating disorders
Andréa Poyastro Pinheiro1, T J Raney, Laura M Thornton
1Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|March 5, 2009
Summary
Sexual dysfunction, including low libido and sexual anxiety, is prevalent in women with eating disorders. Lower body mass index (BMI) is linked to these issues and avoidance of sexual relationships.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
- Sexual Health
Background:
- Eating disorders (EDs) significantly impact physical and psychological health.
- Sexual functioning is often overlooked in ED research and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize sexual functioning in women diagnosed with various eating disorder subtypes.
- To compare sexual functioning in women with EDs to normative data.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 242 women with EDs from the International Price Foundation Genetic Studies.
- Assessment of sexual intimacy, libido, sexual anxiety, partner status, and sexual relationships.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of reduced sexual desire (66.9%) and sexual anxiety (59.2%) was observed.
- Women with anorexia nervosa (restricting and purging subtypes) reported higher rates of low libido compared to those with bulimia nervosa and EDs not otherwise specified.
- Lower minimum lifetime body mass index (BMI) was associated with reduced libido, sexual anxiety, and absence of sexual relationships.
Conclusions:
- Sexual dysfunction is a common comorbidity across all eating disorder subtypes.
- Low BMI is a significant factor associated with multiple facets of sexual dysfunction in women with EDs.
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