Sexual Function and Libido Loss in Female Climbers-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Reproductive Health
• Female Athlete Health

Background:

• Increasing female participation in elite sports necessitates understanding intensive training's impact on reproductive health and sexual function.
• The relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) framework highlights potential links between energy availability and physiological function in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of libido loss and sexual dysfunction in female climbers.
• To explore associations between sexual function and low energy availability in female climbers within the RED-S framework.

Main Methods:

• A multinational cross-sectional study compared female climbers (elite and amateur) with non-athletic controls using questionnaires for eating disorders (EDE-QS), sexual function (FSFI-d), low energy availability (LEAF-Q), and estrogen deficiency symptoms (MRS-II).
• Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for covariates including LEAF-Q, MRS-II score, age, BMI, and subjective satisfaction was performed on participants without eating disorder signs.

Main Results:

• Unadjusted analyses showed no significant differences in overall sexual function (FSFI-d total score) or libido between elite climbers, amateur climbers, and controls.
• After adjusting for covariates, elite climbers exhibited significantly lower FSFI-d scores compared to controls.
• Elite climbers reported higher subjective sexual satisfaction than controls.

Conclusions:

• While unadjusted analyses revealed no overall differences, adjusted comparisons indicate potential subtle differences in sexual function among elite climbers.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the complex interplay between intensive training, energy availability, and sexual health in female athletes.