Impact Of Endometriosis On Sexual Life Of Women And Partners: Results From The Endovie Survey.

Endometriosis affects mostly young, sexually active women during different phases of their sexual life. Symptoms include painful periods, pelvic pain, chronic fatigue and dyspareunia that can lead to negative impact on their sexuality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on couple’s sexual life among women with the condition and their partners. A prospective cross-sectional web-based survey. An online survey was conducted in women suffering from endometriosis from January 15th to February 3rd, 2020. The sample population of women with endometriosis was targeted and investigated through the Ipsos Access Panel that gathers data from 235,171 French subjects (n=803) and EndoFrance, a French non-profit organization for endometriosis (=754). Another online survey was conducted among 100 partners of women with endometriosis throughout the Ipsos AccessPanel. The 2 questionnaires were constructed with the directing committee of the study and aimed to assess experience and perceptions with endometriosis, including the impact of the condition on affective and sexual life as evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 for very low impact to 10 for very high impact). The main survey included 1,557 women (33% deep endometriosis, 22% endometrioma, 13% superficial endometriosis). Their average age was 42.2±12.8 years and 70% were in a relationship. The disease had started at an average age of 23.8±10.2 years old. Among first symptoms, 78% experienced painful periods, 66% pelvic pain, 54% chronic fatigue and 50% dyspareunia. Sexual life was the main impacted area of women's lives with an impact rated 5.5±3.5 out of 10; in 48% of the cases the impact was severe (≥ 7). Furthermore, 71% were often/very often confronted with decrease in libido and 58% refrained often/very often from having sexual intercourse for several weeks or even months. The average rating of women for the impact of endometriosis on couple’s life was 4.9±3.4 out of 10 and 38% rated scores ≥ 7. 568 women (37%) faced often/very often reproaches from their partner concerning their complaints related to their endometriosis and 28% of women report that their partners blame them for not being able to have children. Moreover, 25% of the women felt often/very often the desire to separate from their spouse. Among the 100 partners (92 men and 8 women) surveyed, the impact of endometriosis on sexual life was rated 4.2±3.2 out of 10. Being afraid of hurting their partner during sexual intercourse, having refrained from having sexual intercourse, and being faced with decreased libido were situations often/very often reported by 49%, 24% and 18% of partners, respectively. The impact of endometriosis on their couple’s life was rated 3.6±2.8 out of 10. The study provided evidence that endometriosis has a main impact on sexual and couple’s life in women with the condition but also, although lower, among the partners. Health professionals should consider this important aspect of couples' lives to improve the quality of life of women suffering from endometriosis and that of their partners.