Quality of life and sexual satisfaction in women with endometriosis: the moderator role of symptom severity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Endometriosis is a chronic female disease affecting the quality of life (QoL) and sexual satisfaction (SS) of approximately 176 million women of reproductive age worldwide. This study analysed the variables that contributed to QoL and SS, and whether symptom severity moderated the relationship between symptom intensity and QoL/ SS. This cross-sectional study included 124 women diagnosed with clinical endometriosis. Participants answered the Endometriosis Health Profile-30, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Couple Satisfaction Index, and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. Results showed that absence from work and psychological morbidity contributed to worse QoL; frequency of sexual activity and marital satisfaction contributed to higher SS; and the perception of symptom severity moderated the relationship between the intensity of chronic pelvic pain and QoL. Multidisciplinary interventions focused on the reduction of psychological symptomatology, sexual and relational difficulties, as well as illness representations, particularly regarding symptom severity, are warranted.