Dopamine as a potential diagnostic biomarker in women's sexual dysfunction

Dopamine and prolactin are the key mediators involved in sexual function in both males and females, but the role of dopamine in female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is still unclear. The aim was to investigate the possible role of dopamine and their relationship with sex steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone; DHEA) and prolactin levels in Egyptian women suffering from sexual dysfunction. This study included 84 women having sexual dysfunction (FSD group) and 84 normal sexual function (control group). All women were subjected to the questionnaire to assess their demographic and gynecological data as well as female sexual function index (FSFI). Blood samples were collected from all women for measuring serum estradiol, progesterone, DHEA, prolactin and dopamine levels. FSD patients had significantly higher serum progesterone and DHEA and prolactin levels; while significantly lower dopamine and estradiol levels versus controls (p < 0.001). In all women, dopamine level appeared as a predictor of FSD at cut-off point ≤8.8 ng/mL with sensitivity (75%), specificity (92%) and accuracy (83%) (p < 0.001). The low levels of dopamine were associated with significantly higher prevalence in patients with low estradiol (p < 0.001) and high progesterone (p < 0.001), DHEA (p < 0.001) and prolactin (p = 0.004). Also, dopamine was significantly positive correlation with arousal score (r = 0.16, p = 0.04), and negative correlation with age (r = -0.31, p < 0.001), pain score (r = -0.19, p = 0.01), DHEA (r = -0.45, p < 0.001) and prolactin (r = -0.28, p < 0.001). Low serum dopamine level is a potential diagnostic biomarker in women's sexual dysfunction and their association with high prolactin and sex steroid hormones dysfunction.