Fibromyalgia linked to lower sexual desire in women

Sexual desire is reduced in women with fibromyalgia, driven primarily by age, time since diagnosis, and depressive symptoms, according to a study.

Eighty-one women participated in the study and were divided into fibromyalgia group (n=46) and health control group (n=35). The mean age was 47.23 years in the fibromyalgia group and 46.14 years in the control group.

The authors assessed sexual desire using the Sexual Desire Inventory, severity of fibromyalgia using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Compared with health controls, women with fibromyalgia showed a lower sexual desire. Age, depression, and time since diagnosis correlated with different dimensions of sexual desire. On the other hand, fibromyalgia severity, anxiety, and months using SSRIs showed no significant association with any dimensions of sexual desire.

Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed the association of age, depression, and time since diagnosis of fibromyalgia with global sexual desire, accounting for 30 percent of its variance.

“Assessing sexual desire and addressing depressive symptoms early in women with fibromyalgia is essential for improving their sexual health,” the authors said.

The authors claimed that this study was the first to explore the different dimensions of sexual desire, including sexual desire for an attractive person, while examining factors linked to sexual desire in women with fibromyalgia. However, it was limited by the relatively small sample sign and its longitudinal design.