Sexual dysfunction in women with clinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common hormonal disorder in women that may affect the phases of female sexual function.

To investigate female sexual function in patients with clinic hypothyroidism and subclinic hypothyroidism.

A total of 25 women with clinic hypothyroidism (group 4), 25 women with subclinic hypothyroidism [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) value 10 mU/L (group 3)], and 20 age matched voluntary healthy women controls (group 1) were included in the study. All the subjects were evaluated with a detailed medical and sexual history, including a female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire for sexual status and the Beck Depression Inventory for psychiatric assessment.

The levels of serum TSH, thyroid hormones, prolactin (PRL), free testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, lipid profile, and blood glucose were measured.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was diagnosed in 14 of 25 patients (56%) in group 4, in 6 of 11 patients (54.6%) in group 3, in 2 of 14 patients (14.6%) in group 2, and while only 3 of 20 the control group of women (15%) had FSD (P = 0.006). The mean total FSFI scores were 23.9 in the group 4, 26.03 in the group 3, 29.2 in the group 2, and 32.30 in the control group (P < 0.0001). The mean BDI score for clinic hypothyroidic patients was significantly greater than the scores for the control group and for the group 2 (P = 0.017 and P = 0.043, respectively). The mean PRL levels for patients in group 4 and group 3 were found to be significantly higher than the level for controls (P < 0.0001), whereas other serum hormone levels were not different among groups.

A significant percent of women with clinic hypothyroidism and subclinic hypothyroidism with TSH values >10 mU/L had sexual dysfunction. Hyperprolactinemia, hyperlipidemia, and depression were associated with FSD in clinic hypothyroidism. Different than clinic hypothyroidism depression was not associated with FSD in subclinic hypothyroidism with TSH values >10 mU/L.