Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study

Introduction: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is 10–15% in women of reproductive age. Its characteristics are (i) clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, (ii) oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, and (iii) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. PCOS is associated with lower quality of life,...

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Main Authors: Hester Pastoor, MSc, Stephanie Both, PhD, Reinier Timman, PhD, Ellen T.M. Laan, PhD, Joop S.E. Laven, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 2020-12-01
Series:Sexual Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116120300908
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author Hester Pastoor, MSc
Stephanie Both, PhD
Reinier Timman, PhD
Ellen T.M. Laan, PhD
Joop S.E. Laven, MD, PhD
author_facet Hester Pastoor, MSc
Stephanie Both, PhD
Reinier Timman, PhD
Ellen T.M. Laan, PhD
Joop S.E. Laven, MD, PhD
author_sort Hester Pastoor, MSc
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is 10–15% in women of reproductive age. Its characteristics are (i) clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, (ii) oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, and (iii) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. PCOS is associated with lower quality of life, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Treatment commonly entails oral contraceptive use to lower endogenous androgen levels. Androgen levels and comorbidities may affect sexual function. Previous studies have addressed a limited range of possible contributing factors. We will assess sexual function as well as genital and self-reported sexual arousal in a laboratory setting in women with PCOS compared to an age-matched healthy control group. Modulation by biopsychosocial factors mentioned will be studied. Methods: This is a multicenter prospective case control study. The study population includes healthy women with and without PCOS, aged 18–40 years, in a stable heterosexual relationship for at least 6 months. Power is calculated at 67 participants in each group. Anticipating a drop out of 10%, 150 participants will be recruited. Main outcome measures: The main outcomes measured are sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Desire Inventory, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised; genital sexual arousal measured as vaginal pulse amplitude; and self-reported sexual arousal in response to erotic stimuli in a laboratory setting. The mediators that will be investigated include testosterone, free androgen levels, oral contraceptive use, sensitivity to androgens (using CAG repeat length), body mass index, body image, mental health, and self-esteem. Conclusion: Strengths of this study are the inclusion of a broad range of biopsychosocial outcome measures including DNA analysis, a healthy control group, and standardized assessment of genital and self-reported sexual arousal in a laboratory setting. With the design of this study we aim to provide an insight into which biopsychosocial factors associated with PCOS are related to sexual function, and how sexual function may be affected by treatment. These new insights may help to improve clinical management of PCOS while improving the quality of life.Pastoor H, Both S, Timman R, et al. Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study. Sex Med 2020;8:718–729.
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spelling doaj.art-8ad4705378fa4cdca80dd33172b20cbb2023-09-02T21:46:57ZengOxford University PressSexual Medicine2050-11612020-12-0184718729Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control StudyHester Pastoor, MSc0Stephanie Both, PhD1Reinier Timman, PhD2Ellen T.M. Laan, PhD3Joop S.E. Laven, MD, PhD4Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Corresponding Author: Hester Pastoor, MSc, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Room Na-1617, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam, CA 3000, the Netherlands. Tel: 0031-6-17048767; Fax: 0031-10-7031753Department of Psychosomatic Gynecology and Sexology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the NetherlandsDepartment of Psychiatry, Section of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsDepartment of Sexology and Psychosomatic OBGYN, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsDivision of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsIntroduction: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is 10–15% in women of reproductive age. Its characteristics are (i) clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, (ii) oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, and (iii) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. PCOS is associated with lower quality of life, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Treatment commonly entails oral contraceptive use to lower endogenous androgen levels. Androgen levels and comorbidities may affect sexual function. Previous studies have addressed a limited range of possible contributing factors. We will assess sexual function as well as genital and self-reported sexual arousal in a laboratory setting in women with PCOS compared to an age-matched healthy control group. Modulation by biopsychosocial factors mentioned will be studied. Methods: This is a multicenter prospective case control study. The study population includes healthy women with and without PCOS, aged 18–40 years, in a stable heterosexual relationship for at least 6 months. Power is calculated at 67 participants in each group. Anticipating a drop out of 10%, 150 participants will be recruited. Main outcome measures: The main outcomes measured are sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Desire Inventory, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised; genital sexual arousal measured as vaginal pulse amplitude; and self-reported sexual arousal in response to erotic stimuli in a laboratory setting. The mediators that will be investigated include testosterone, free androgen levels, oral contraceptive use, sensitivity to androgens (using CAG repeat length), body mass index, body image, mental health, and self-esteem. Conclusion: Strengths of this study are the inclusion of a broad range of biopsychosocial outcome measures including DNA analysis, a healthy control group, and standardized assessment of genital and self-reported sexual arousal in a laboratory setting. With the design of this study we aim to provide an insight into which biopsychosocial factors associated with PCOS are related to sexual function, and how sexual function may be affected by treatment. These new insights may help to improve clinical management of PCOS while improving the quality of life.Pastoor H, Both S, Timman R, et al. Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study. Sex Med 2020;8:718–729.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116120300908PCOSPolycystic Ovary SyndromeFemale Sexual FunctionFemale Sexual DysfunctionPhotoplethysmographyAndrogens
spellingShingle Hester Pastoor, MSc
Stephanie Both, PhD
Reinier Timman, PhD
Ellen T.M. Laan, PhD
Joop S.E. Laven, MD, PhD
Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study
Sexual Medicine
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Female Sexual Function
Female Sexual Dysfunction
Photoplethysmography
Androgens
title Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study
title_full Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study
title_fullStr Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study
title_full_unstemmed Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study
title_short Sexual Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Design of an Observational Prospective Multicenter Case Control Study
title_sort sexual function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome design of an observational prospective multicenter case control study
topic PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Female Sexual Function
Female Sexual Dysfunction
Photoplethysmography
Androgens
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116120300908
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