Quality of life and sexual functioning of Polish infertile couples

Objectives To evaluate the influence of infertility on the quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning of infertile couples.

Methods The research group consisted of 206 infertile couples and the control group of 190 fertile couples. A specific questionnaire was used as a research tool. It gathered information about socio-demographic features and infertility status, and included validated scales: Short Form-36 Health Survey, Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function.

Results The QoL parameters in all categories were generally lower for infertile women than for those of the control group. Clinical sexual dysfunctions were not significantly more common among infertile than fertile women (17.5% versus 12.1%, p = 0.13). Clinically relevant erectile dysfunctions were diagnosed in 23.9% of infertile men and in 13.7% of the controls. Male infertility had the most significant negative effect on men's sexual functioning.

Conclusions The risk groups for decreased QoL are infertile women and older subjects with lower education and occupationally inactive. Clinically relevant sexual disorders in the infertile population most frequently affect older men, with a lower educational level and with previously diagnosed male infertility.