The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey
Objective: To evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and sexual health in an Italian population. Methods: An Italian survey about the prevalence and severity of VVA (on a 0 to 10 scale) and sexual dysfunction (using the Female Sexual Function Index—FSFI) throug...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/16/2346 |
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| author | Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo Maurizio Serati Arianna Casiraghi Vittoria Benini Chiara Scancarello Maria Carmela Di Dedda Carla Garbagnati Andrea Braga Massimo Candiani Stefano Salvatore |
| author_facet | Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo Maurizio Serati Arianna Casiraghi Vittoria Benini Chiara Scancarello Maria Carmela Di Dedda Carla Garbagnati Andrea Braga Massimo Candiani Stefano Salvatore |
| author_sort | Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: To evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and sexual health in an Italian population. Methods: An Italian survey about the prevalence and severity of VVA (on a 0 to 10 scale) and sexual dysfunction (using the Female Sexual Function Index—FSFI) through an anonymous online questionnaire. We investigated couple relationships and intimacy with partners, the predisposition of patients to talk about their sexual problems, physicians’ receptivity, and treatment scenarios. Risk factors for VVA symptoms and sexual dysfunction were assessed. Results: A total of 107 women affected by SSc were enrolled. Of these, 83.2% of women (89/107) complained about VVA symptoms and 89.7% (among sexually active women; 87/97) about sexual dysfunction. Menopausal status did not affect VVA symptoms, while age was the only independent risk factor for sexual dysfunction. About 70% (74/107) of women reported a negative impact of disturbances on intimacy with their partner. A total of 63 women (58.9%) had never discussed their sexual problems and VVA condition with a physician. Lubricants were the only treatment prescribed, and 75% of women would welcome new therapies, even if experimental (62.9%). Conclusions: In women with SSc, VVA symptoms and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent, independently from menopause. In more than half of the investigated women with SSc, we found reluctance to talk about their sexual problems, despite being symptomatic. This should encourage physicians to investigate vulvovaginal and sexual health. SSc patients would welcome the advent of new treatment possibilities for their VVA and sexual complaints. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:54:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4ddd3085225f40b09063d30e58735e5a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:54:14Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-4ddd3085225f40b09063d30e58735e5a2023-11-19T01:19:42ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-08-011116234610.3390/healthcare11162346The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian SurveyAlessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo0Maurizio Serati1Arianna Casiraghi2Vittoria Benini3Chiara Scancarello4Maria Carmela Di Dedda5Carla Garbagnati6Andrea Braga7Massimo Candiani8Stefano Salvatore9Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Del Ponte Hospital, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, ItalyObstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, ItalyObstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Del Ponte Hospital, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASST FBF-SACCO Macedonio Melloni Hospital, 20129 Milan, ItalyFondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, EOC-Beata Vergine Hospital, 6850 Mendrisio, SwitzerlandObstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, ItalyObstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, ItalyObjective: To evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and sexual health in an Italian population. Methods: An Italian survey about the prevalence and severity of VVA (on a 0 to 10 scale) and sexual dysfunction (using the Female Sexual Function Index—FSFI) through an anonymous online questionnaire. We investigated couple relationships and intimacy with partners, the predisposition of patients to talk about their sexual problems, physicians’ receptivity, and treatment scenarios. Risk factors for VVA symptoms and sexual dysfunction were assessed. Results: A total of 107 women affected by SSc were enrolled. Of these, 83.2% of women (89/107) complained about VVA symptoms and 89.7% (among sexually active women; 87/97) about sexual dysfunction. Menopausal status did not affect VVA symptoms, while age was the only independent risk factor for sexual dysfunction. About 70% (74/107) of women reported a negative impact of disturbances on intimacy with their partner. A total of 63 women (58.9%) had never discussed their sexual problems and VVA condition with a physician. Lubricants were the only treatment prescribed, and 75% of women would welcome new therapies, even if experimental (62.9%). Conclusions: In women with SSc, VVA symptoms and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent, independently from menopause. In more than half of the investigated women with SSc, we found reluctance to talk about their sexual problems, despite being symptomatic. This should encourage physicians to investigate vulvovaginal and sexual health. SSc patients would welcome the advent of new treatment possibilities for their VVA and sexual complaints.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/16/2346systemic sclerosissexual healthsexual dysfunctiongenitourinary syndrome of menopausevulvovaginal symptomsquality of life |
| spellingShingle | Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo Maurizio Serati Arianna Casiraghi Vittoria Benini Chiara Scancarello Maria Carmela Di Dedda Carla Garbagnati Andrea Braga Massimo Candiani Stefano Salvatore The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey Healthcare systemic sclerosis sexual health sexual dysfunction genitourinary syndrome of menopause vulvovaginal symptoms quality of life |
| title | The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey |
| title_full | The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey |
| title_short | The Impact of Systemic Sclerosis on Sexual Health: An Italian Survey |
| title_sort | impact of systemic sclerosis on sexual health an italian survey |
| topic | systemic sclerosis sexual health sexual dysfunction genitourinary syndrome of menopause vulvovaginal symptoms quality of life |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/16/2346 |
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