REVIEW  FEMALE SEXUALITY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE: A JOURNEY ALONG A WOMAN’S LIFE 

Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology 2022 June;74(3):203-21

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-606X.22.05033-3

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Sexual function and quality of life in women with endometriosis

Libera TROÌA ¹, Stefano LUISI ² ✉

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy; ² Unit of Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Endometriosis may exert a profound negative influence on the lives of individuals with the disorder, adversely affecting quality of life, participation in daily and social activities, physical and sexual functioning, relationships, educational and work productivity, mental health, and well-being. Symptoms of endometriosis represent a great source of stress and cause a substantial negative impact on the psychological parameters, on the daily life and on the physical functioning of patients. The impact of endometriosis on work attendance has very significant economic consequences, as lost productivity has an associated cost, as do career changes resulting from a decline in education due to symptoms. Endometriosis is a pathology that affects all aspects of women’s lives and that thus, it must be treated with a multidisciplinary vision that includes not only a medical approach but also psychological, work, and economic support. In this specific long-term vision of patient-centered endometriosis care, aspects of quality of life and sexual health play a key role and should always be evaluated with any patient as part of a multidisciplinary management.

KEY WORDS: Quality of Life; Endometriosis; Infertility