The Effects of Fibromyalgia Syndrome on Female Sexual Function

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) on female sexual function. Sexuality is a complex aspect in lives of humans and means more than intercourse alone. Normal sexual function consists of sexual activity via stages, including desire, arousal, orgasm and relaxation and with a feeling of pleasure, fulfillment and satisfaction. Studies evaluated show that FMS is associated with sexual dysfunction in women. The major findings are as follows: decreased sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and increased pain with intercourse. In FMS, sexual dysfunction and depression are suggested to be linked to depressive mood involved in desire and arousal problems. Further, the threshold where sensory input becomes painful in FMS patients is lower than normal, which can explain pain on intercourse. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the casual relationship and mechanism of association between FMS and sexual dysfunction in women.