[Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Disorders and Their Relationship with Sexual Functions in Women Diagnosed with Lifelong Vaginismus].

OBJECTIVE In patients with vaginismus, the Lack of knowledge on rates of depression and anxiety disorders is noteworthy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalance of anxiety disorders and major depression and to examine the relationship of these  omorbidities with sexual functions in women diagnosed with lifelong vaginismus.  METHOD: One hundred and fourty-four women who were diagnosed with vaginismus were recruited for the study. Depression and anxiety disorders section of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) were administered to the participants.  RESULTS: At least one comorbid anxiety disorder and/or depression was found in 79.86 % of the cases. The most common comorbid disorder was specific phobia (63.9%). This was followed by major depression (35.4%), social anxiety disorder (13%), panic disorder (10%), obsessive compulsive disorder (5%) and generalized anxiety disorder (2%). On GRISS, mean avoidance score was higher in patients with comorbid depression and non-communication score was higher in patients with comorbid panic disorder when compared to patients with no comorbidity.  CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders, especially spesific phobia, was higher in patients with vaginismus than the general population. Both high comorbidity of these psychiatric disorders and disruption of functions in all domains of sexuality emphasize the importance of holistic approach in evaluation of these patients.