those with fertility problems had a higher risk of sexual dysfunction

A study done at the Stanford University Medical Center based in California has suggested that there is a link between female sexual dysfunction and infertility. The study which was done on over 200 women saw that those with fertility problems had a significantly higher risk of sexual dysfunction.

The first group of 119 women were handed questionnaires at a fertility clinic where they were receiving treatment and the results showed that 40 percent of them scored very low points on the sexual function questionnaire which meant that they were in the high risk category of female sexual dysfunction. The control group of 99 normally fertile women answered the same questionnaire and the results showed that only 25 percent of them scored very low points which would put them into the same high risk category for FSD.

Interestingly the results showed that those women who suffered from infertility specifically reported issues with sexual desire and arousal, but they did not appear to suffer from other female sexual dysfunction symptoms such as pain during sex, vaginal dryness or problems attaining orgasm.

Dr. Leah S. Millheiser, who led the study said that they were hoping that fertility problems would now be highlighted as a potential risk factor for female sexual dysfunction. She also pointed out that it was important to look at other factors which could come into play such as the sexual function of men, relationship problems and depression.

Other findings from the study were that those women who were receiving fertility treatment on average had sexual intercourse less often than those women who were in the fertile group. The infertile group had sex on average seven times a month compared to more than nine times a month for the fertile group of women.

Female sexual dysfunction is a far more complicated medical problem than erectile dysfunction which is usually fixed with Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. The only female sexual dysfunction drug available is the prescription drug Intrinsa.

This research was written up in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility.