Study of Sexual Behavior and Related Factors in Infertile Couples Referred to
Fatemeh Zahra Infertility Center in Babol
Bakhtiari A. 1 , Basirat Z. 2 , Aghajanimir MR. 3
1. Department Midvifery, Medical School, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2. Dep Obstetric & Gyneacology, Fatemeh Zahra Infertility Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences. Gynecologist
3. Dep Internal & Surgical, Fatemeh Zahra Infertility Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences. Urologist
Tabel-1quantitative variables studied in infertile couples
Objectives
Infertility is a major challenge to balance the emotional and
sexual life of a couple. Sexual dysfunction is common in
infertile couples and women are affected more often than
men. This may be related to infertility or infertility diagnosis
and treatment process. The aim of study is assessment the
effect of infertility diagnosis and treatment on sexual behavior
of infertile couples.
Methods
In this study, 230 infertile couples attending infertility clinics
Fatemeh Zahra in Babol were studied. For all participants, after
the filing and history taking, physical examination was
performed and laboratory tests needed were requested. The
data collection tool was questionnaire, which has separate
sections for men and women, each with two parts of
demographic and sexual dysfunction information. The
questionnaires to assess sexual function were Female Sexual
Function Index for women and International Index of Erectile
Function for men, which were completed by the subjects.
Results
41.6% of women and 34.8% of men reported changes in
their sexual relationships. Most changes in both men and
women were, reducing the number of sexual contacts and
sexual anxiety. 58% of men and 55.5% of women suffer from
sexual dysfunction cycle. The most common sexual
dysfunction was dyspareunia in women (27.3%) and after
that sexual desire (26.1%) and premature ejaculation in men
(34.5%). Sexual dysfunction in the total cycle in female and
orgasmic dysfunction in men was significantly associated
with primary infertility and increase the duration of infertility
and idiopathic infertility . Also, economic status, physical and
mental diseases and the dissatisfaction of sexual
relationships and common life was significantly associated
with sexual dysfunction in couple and as well as husbands’
job with sexual dysfunction cycle in women.
Variables
Age women
Age men
Family size
Duration of infertility
Frequency of intercourse/week
Mean
26.1
30.81
2.64
60.15
2.43
SD
Minimum
5.25
6.1
1.38
47.99
1.02
Maximum
16
18
2
6
0
45
70
10
288
7
Tabel-2 Frequency and percent of sexual dysfunction in couples
Women
Sexual Desire
Sexual excitation
Orgasm
Dyspareunia
Vaginsmus
Men
Sexual Desire
Sexual excitation
Orgasm
Premature Ejaculation
Retarded ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation
Frequency
62
32
61
65
35
Frequency
22
13
66
82
20
16
percent
26.1
13.4
25.6
27.3
14.7
percent
9.2
5.5
27.7
34.5
8.4
6.7
Tabel-3 Frequency and percentage changes of sex in couples
Changes in sexual activity
Decreased intercourse
Decreased libido
Anxiety
No change
Increased intercourse
Decreased intercourse and libido
Decreased intercourse and anxiety
Anxiety, no change in the intercourse
Decreased intercourse and libido and
Anxiety
Sexual satisfaction
satisfied
dissatisfied
Consultation on sexual problems
useful
unhelpful
Do not know
Male
Frequency percent
6
2.5
19
8
24
10.1
179
75.2
2
0.8
Female
Frequency
percent
8
3.4
7
2.9
39
16.4
139
58.4
3
1.3
4
1.7
6
2.5
7
2.9
11
4.6
217
13
91.2
5.4
207
19
87
8
227
2
1
95.4
0.8
0.4
192
17
15
80.7
7
6.3
Table 4: The relationship sexual dysfunction with variables
studied in couples
Women
Desire
Age
Family size
Duration of infertility
Frequency of intercourse/week
Type of housing
Satisfaction with common life
Sexual satisfaction
Working in rotating shifts of husband
sexual excitement
Family size
Frequency of intercourse/week
Type of housing
Medication
Satisfaction with common life
Sexual satisfaction
Physical illness in husband
Orgasm
Family size
Frequency of intercourse/week
Satisfaction with common life
Sexual satisfaction
Frequent travel husband
Dyspareunia
Family size
Duration of infertility
Frequency of intercourse/week
Place of living
Working in rotating shifts of husband
Physical illness in husband
Vaginsmus
Family size
Husband’ job
P.value
Men
Desire
P.value
0.03
0.05
0.04
0.001
0.02
0.02
0.001
0.01
Frequency of intercourse/week
0.001
Sexual satisfaction
sexual excitement
0.001
Frequency of intercourse/week
0.001
Type of housing
Education of wife
Sexual satisfaction
Orgasm
0.001
0.01
0.001
Family size
0.001
Type of housing
Satisfaction with common life
Sexual satisfaction
0.001
0.03
0.05
0.001
0.001
0.02
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.03
Premature ejaculation
Family size
Frequency of intercourse/week
0.001
0.001
Retrograde ejaculation
Frequency of intercourse/week
0.03
Wife’ job
Addiction of wife
0.003
0.001
0.05
0.001
0.01
0.04
0.04
0.02
0.001
References
0.04
Conclusion
Given the importance of sexual health in quality of life and
treatment process of infertile couples, consulting services
and attendance of a sex therapist is essential in infertility
centers.