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Impact of Fibromyalgia Syndrome on Female Sexual Function: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Adrián Jesús Ricoy-Cano1, Irene Cortés-Pérez2, María Del Carmen Martín-Cano1
1From the Social Work Department, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, Jaén.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine sexual dysfuntion in women diagnosed with FMS compared with healthy controls.
Methods:
A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. The literature search was conducted using PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, SciELO, and PsycINFO PROQUEST until February 2021. Observational studies with 2 groups (women with FMS and healthy controls) that assessed sexual function were included. Pooled effect was calculated using Cohen standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model.
Results:
Twelve studies were included comprising 1367 women (766 diagnosed with FMS and 601 healthy controls). The methodological quality of the included studies was moderate, according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Our findings showed a significant sexual dysfunction in women diagnosed with FMS (SMD = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.18-2.26; p < 0.001). In addition, the secondary outcomes more affected in women with FMS were sexual satisfaction (SMD = -2.09; 95% CI, -2.83 to -1.36; p < 0.001) and the pain during sexual relations (SMD = -1.97; 95% CI, -2.81 to -1.12; p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Women with FMS showed a significant sexual dysfunction and other related sexual difficulties, such as increase in sexual pain and a decreased sexual desire or sexual satisfaction, compared with healthy women.
