Keywords
Sexuality
Assisted Reproductive Technology
How to Cite
Abstract
Study Question: How do assisted reproductive techniques impact on couples sexuality?
Summary Answer: We observed a negative impact on sexuality, sexual desire and less frequency of sexual intercourse rhythm, especially in the women group.
What is Known Already: The diagnosis of infertility and the Assisted reproductive techniques, can affect sexuality, self-esteem, satisfaction and social relationships.
Study Design: descriptive observational cross-sectional study. In 150 patients from Buenos Aires City Institute, from July of 2019 to March 2020.
Materials and Methods: 150 anonymous surveys were delivered to couples undergoing Reproductive Treatments. Equal couples, single women and women who were performing fertility preservation were excluded.
Main Results: 98 surveys were analyzed, of which 72 were for women and 26 were for men. Average age was 36 years. Both men and women reported a negative effect. 23.4% of women had lower sexual desire, while most men reported no change in desire. In 49% women, a decrease in frequency of sexual intercourse was observed. 23.6% women and 7.7% men had more difficulties achieving orgasm than before treatment. In the women group, the most frequent feelings were anxiety (32%), optimism (28%), irritability (14%) and anguish (8%). Men reported: no change (35%) and optimism and irritability in the same percentage 23%.
Limitations: Resistance for the part of men to answer the surveys, mostly patients in highly complex treatments. The anonymous surveys did not allow an in-depth investigation of the individual problem. The small sample size.
Wider Implications of the findings: Several publications relate the stress experienced by couples who perform fertility treatments. So far, there is no scientific work published that evaluates the impact on sexuality who are undergoing fertility treatment. In our work, we found a negative impact on sexuality during the Assisted Fertilization process, high or low complexity, being more evident in women.
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