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Risk factors for sexual dysfunction in Romanian women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: a comparative cross-sectional study

Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome volume 12, Article number: 94 (2020) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is one of the chronic complications of diabetes as is male sexual dysfunction, but the former is less studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess of the prevalence and risk factors associated with FSD in Romanian women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT).

Methods

The study sample included 104 Romanian women with both T1DM and CAT, and 101 Romanian matched controls with only T1DM. The presence of FSD was established using two validated tests: The Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-revised. The presence of depression was assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory-II.

Results

We found that almost half of the women in the group with T1DM and CAT presented with sexual dysfunction (49 vs. 33.7% in the control group; p = 0.025): 27.9 vs. 8.9 (p < 0.001)—desire, 23.1 vs. 7.9% (p = 0.003)—orgasm, 21.2 vs. 5.9% (p = 0.002)—lubrication, 17.3 vs. 6.9% (p = 0.023)—arousal, 9.6 vs. 1% (p = 0.006)—pain, and 20.2 vs. 9.9% (p = 0.040)—satisfaction problems. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age was a significant risk factor for FSD, along with DM and body mass index. Coexisting CAT, polyneuropathy, depression, and the use of insulin pumps were significant risk factors for FSD.

Conclusions

Women with T1DM and CAT are more likely to present with FSD than those without. It is important for patients to address depression, if present, and exercise caution while using insulin pumps. Moreover, DM complications such as polyneuropathy are significant risk factors for FSD; thus, it is crucial to ensure satisfactory glycemic control and optimal DM management.

Background

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is one of the chronic complications of diabetes, as is male sexual dysfunction, but the former is less frequently studied. Sexual dysfunction refers to difficulty in performing normal sexual activities and experiencing physical pleasure, desire, arousal, or an orgasm. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), sexual dysfunction refers to extreme distress during normal sexual activity for a minimum of 6 months in the absence of any substance or medication-induced sexual dysfunction [1]. FSD includes dysregulation of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction and pain sensation [2]. This complication affects the quality of life of patients with diabetes [3]. The main factors involved in the occurrence of FSD are related to reproduction, relationships, sociocultural specifics, and health problems such as chronic medical conditions and related treatments [4].

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune multifactorial disease caused by genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers such as viral infections, toxins, or dietary factors [5]. T1DM usually occurs in children or young adults (occasionally in older adults) [6], and it is associated with other autoimmune diseases, the most common being chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) (incidence rate of 15–30%) [7, 8]. This disease is characterized by hypothyroidism and requires hormonal treatment. These hormones induce hyperglycemic effects and even slight changes in their level increase the risk of hyperglycemia [8]. Patients with hypothyroidism are at a high risk of developing dyslipidemia and increased intima-media thickness, vascular stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability. All these factors could contribute to the high prevalence of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients with hypothyroidism [9].

In 2019, the estimated number of people with DM was 463 million worldwide. This number is expected to increase by over 51% over the next 20 years (700 million adults in 2045). In Europe, the number of persons with DM was 59 million in 2019, and it is expected to increase by 15% by 2045 (68 million). The number of children with T1DM worldwide is 1,110,100, with more than a quarter (27%) located in Europe [10]. In Romania, the prevalence of DM in 2017 was 10–13%. According to the PREvalence of DiAbeTes mellitus, prediabetes, overweight, Obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease in Romania (PREDATORR) study, the prevalence of DM in the western region of Romania was 8.2% and that among women aged 20–40.8 years was 2.4% [11].

Very few studies have focused on sexual dysfunction in women with DM. Moreover, many studies have focused on FSD related to T2DM and not T1DM [12]. The studies involving men showed a correlation between sexual dysfunction and duration of diabetes, glucose control, cardiovascular and neurological complications, older age, antihypertensive treatment, comorbidities, body mass index (BMI) [13], tobacco use, and medication [14]; in women, some studies showed a correlation between FSD and duration of diabetes. A significant correlation has been found between FSD and neuropathy (both sensitive and autonomic neuropathy) [15]. The most common risk factor for sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes is depression [16]. Furthermore, some studies outlined other psychological risk factors such as problems of self-image, tiredness, and dependency on others [17, 18].

Thyroid diseases are considered risk factors for sexual dysfunction [19]. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were found to be associated with erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions in men [20], respectively, and with impairments in desire, arousal/lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction and pain during intercourse in women [21, 22]. The development of sexual dysfunction is attributed to the effect of thyroid hormones on circulating sex hormone levels through peripheral and central pathways, indirectly leading to psychiatric and autonomic deregulation and causing impairments in sexual function. Correction of thyroid dysfunction to the normal status is reportedly associated with the resolution of sexual dysfunction in both men and women [23].

Studies on FSD in women with T1DM have reported incidence rates between 18 and 71%. An odds ratio of 2.27 in DM1 patients was reported in one study [24]. The Epidemiology of Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study and urologic assessment data therein provided evidence of a direct link between sexual dysfunction and autonomic neuropathy (particularly cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy) in women with T1DM [25]. However, less-evident factors, such as psychiatric problems related to a chronic, lifelong disease, can contribute to the development of FSD in DM patients as well [26].

Both T1DM and CAT are autoimmune diseases, representing the type 3 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS). APS includes multiple endocrine organ defects [27]. Our sample included women with both T1DM and CAT since we wanted to investigate whether the association between these two autoimmune diseases influenced the prevalence of FSD. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Romanian women with T1DM and CAT.

Methods

Study design and patients

This study was a comparative cross-sectional, non-interventional study, involving 104 non-menopausal women with T1DM and CAT, aged 18–40 years with an active sexual life. They were randomly selected from the outpatient clinic at the Timisoara County Emergency Hospital from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. The control group consisted of 101 Romanian patients with only T1DM.

All patients presented with T1DM and were treated with intensified insulin therapy with four daily injections or insulin pumps.

The inclusion criteria were as follows:

  • Age between 18 and 40 years

  • Presence of both T1DM and CAT in the study group and only T1DM in the control group

  • No health problems other than complications of DM and CAT

  • Active sexual life and not menopausal

The exclusion criteria were as follows:

  • Absence of a sexual partner in the last 12 months

  • Presence of an active/untreated psychiatric disease

We excluded menopausal women because, in this state, some sexual dysfunctions occur, such as lack of desire and libido, predominantly associated with decline in serum levels of estrogen and vaginal dryness [28]. Aging also has a strong impact on sexual function in women, specifically in the areas of desire, sexual interest, and frequency of orgasm. These changes occur because of the gradual decline in testosterone levels in most women with aging [29].

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All included patients provided informed consent. Our study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (The Ethics Committee of the Emergency Hospital, Timisoara), Number 52083/2019. All data were anonymized before analysis.

We collected data from the patients’ medical records and three validated questionnaires on sexual dysfunction and depression, namely the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), and Beck’s Depression Inventory-II scale (BDI-II) as well as collected clinical data, anthropometric parameters, and results of biochemical investigations. The data collected from the medical records included general information, obstetric/gynecologic history, and anamnesis of sexual activity.

Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data

We determined anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, BMI, abdominal circumference, and blood pressure and examined biochemical parameters for glycemic balance, i.e., fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile (total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein [HDLc], low-density lipoprotein [LDLc], and triglyceride [TG]); for kidney function, i.e., eGFR, albuminuria, serum creatinine, and creatinine/albumin ratio; and for thyroid gland function, i.e., thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (FT4), and antithyroid antibodies.

The criteria for the diagnosis of T1DM were fasting plasma glucose levels > 126 mg/dL, symptoms of hyperglycemia (polyuria, polydipsia, and unexplained weight loss with random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL or 2-h plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance test), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% (≥ 48 mmol/mol). In some cases, the diagnosis was confirmed with low C-peptide levels and presence of one or more autoimmune markers of diabetes autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigens (IA2 and IA2-beta), and the zinc transporter ZnT8 [30].

The diagnosis of subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) was based on high levels of TSH and the presence of at least one thyroid autoantibody on two or more consecutive occasions, and/or with ultrasonographic findings of thyroiditis. Clinical hypothyroidism was associated, in addition to the above, with low FT4 levels and/or the presence of goiter [31].

The patients were screened for micro- and macrovascular complications with the following protocol: ophthalmologic examination, podiatric examination (vibration, tactile, pain, and thermic sensation), ankle/brachial index, electrocardiography, nerve velocity conduction, tests for cardiac autonomic neuropathy, and ultrasonography of the thyroid gland.

Venous blood samples were collected from all participants on the day they were invited to participate in this study to determine the levels of HbA1c, TSH, FT3, FT4, and antithyroid antibodies and the lipid profile. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was measured using the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP)-standardized and Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)-compliant immune turbidimetric assay (Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland), with an inter-measurement coefficient of variation of 1.64% according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The reference range was 4.8–6.4% [30]. Lipid profile was assessed using spectrophotometry (enzymatic-colorimetric), and the following reference values were set: total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL, triglycerides < 150 mg/dL, LDLc < 100 mg/dL, and HDLc > 50 mg/dL.

Antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies were detected in venous blood samples using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The upper normal limit for the anti-TPO antibody was set at 34 UI/mL and for the anti-Tg antibody at 115 U/mL [31]. Values greater than these cut-off values indicated positive results. For the evaluation of thyroid function, TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels were measured using ECLIA. The following reference values were used: TSH = 0.465–4.68 Miu/mL, FT3 = 3.69–10.4 pmol/L, and FT4 = 10–28.2 pmol/L [31]. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed in all cases to measure the thyroid volume and study the changes in parenchymal density. The presence of an enlarged thyroid (thyroid gland volume > 97th age-related percentile) with diffuse hypo-echogenicity and/or diffuse micronodules confirmed the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis.

The diagnosis of retinopathy was established after funduscopic examination conducted by a trained ophthalmologist who specialized in diabetic eye complications. Podiatric examination was performed according to the standardized protocol and included examinations of vibration and tactile, pain, and thermic sensations; photoplethysmography; and measurement of ankle and toe blood pressure to determine the ankle/brachial and toe/brachial indexes, respectively. Ewing’s battery test was performed to confirm the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. In some cases, echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound of the carotid artery were used to determine the severity of macrovascular complications.

Assessment of sexual dysfunction

For assessment of sexual dysfunction, we used two internationally validated questionnaires: FSDS-R and FSFI [32, 33]. The original FSDS scale was created to measure distress, which is one of the most important symptoms of FSD [28]. We used the revised version (FSDS-R), comprising 13 questions, where the degree of distress is measured as a frequency. The response scale for each question’s item ranges between 0 (never) and 4 (always). The items are summed up to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 52. The cut-off score is ≥ 11 [32].

The European version of the FSFI was translated, reviewed, and approved by the Research Committee of the Timisoara County Emergency Hospital for use with the Romanian population. The FSFI consists of 19 questions on six features of the female sexual response: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. The answers are assessed according to how often each feature occurs. For the FSFI, the minimum score is 2 and the maximum is 36, with the cut-off score of 26.5 [33]. The scale includes questions on six domains, namely desire, subjective arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. The individual domain scores are as follows: 1.2–6 for desire; 0–6 for arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain; and 0.8–6 for satisfaction. Low scores indicate high symptom burden [33]. The patients were asked to complete these questionnaires at home and return them after 4 weeks. Patients who did not return the questionnaire on time were sent a reminder via phone.

Assessment of depression

For assessing the level of depression, we used the BDI-II scale [34], comprising 21 questions, with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum of 63, and a cut-off score of  ≥ 17 [34]. The patients were asked to complete this questionnaire at home and return it after 4 weeks. Patients who did not return the questionnaire on time were sent a reminder via phone.

There are three versions of the BDI—the original BDI, published in 1961 [35] and the revised versions published as BDI-1A and BDI-II in 1978 and 1996, respectively [34]. The BDI is widely used as an assessment tool by health care professionals and researchers in a variety of settings. In its current version, the BDI-II is designed for individuals aged ≥ 13 years and comprises items related to emotional symptoms of depression such as hopelessness, irritability, and guilt; cognitive symptoms; feelings of being punished; and physical symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and lack of interest in sexual activity. When the test is scored, a value from 0 to 3 is assigned to each answer and the total score is compared with a key to determine depression severity. The standard cut-off scores are as follows: 0–9: minimal depression, 10–18: mild depression, 19–29: moderate depression, 30–63: severe depression. High total scores indicate severe depressive symptoms.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS v.20 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and the R software packages (v.3) for statistical computing. Continuous data with Gaussian distribution are presented as mean (± standard deviation [SD]) values, whereas continuous variables without Gaussian distribution are presented as median (interquartile range) values. Nominal data are presented as absolute frequencies (percentages). The condition of normality of continuous variable distribution was tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, while the equality of variances was tested using Levene’s test.

The significance of the differences between the groups of women with FSD and without FSD was assessed using Student's t-test for Gaussian populations, while the Mann–Whitney U test was used for non-Gaussian populations. To assess the statistical significance between percentages, Pearson’s chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was used. The impact of one or more confounding factors on the presence of FSD was assessed with both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, while the goodness-of-fit was calculated using Nagelkerke's R2 method. We assessed the linearity of the continuous variables with respect to the logit of the dependent variable by applying the Box–Tidwell procedure. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant, with a confidence level of 0.95 for estimating intervals.

Results

Our study sample included 104 women with both T1DM and CAT, and a mean age of 31.24 ± 6.86 years. The average duration of DM was 18.72 ± 9.42 years and of thyroid disease was 10.76 ± 7.52 years. The control group included 101 women with only T1DM, with similar age and DM duration as the study sample, i.e., 30.79 ± 5.69 years and 19.68 ± 10.66 years, respectively. The general characteristics of both groups are presented in Table 1.

Table 1 General characteristics of the studied samples
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The glycemic balance expressed by the average glycemic level and HbA1c was 179.11 ± 85.69 mg% and 9.9 ± 3.39%, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. Microvascular complications were present in 24.03% of the patients, and macrovascular complications, in 15.38%. Diabetic polyneuropathy was present in 22.11% of the patients and retinopathy, in 15.38%. Further, 13.46% of the patients had chronic ischemic cardiac disease, while 4.30% had hypertension. In the control group, 6.9% of the patients had diabetic polyneuropathy, and 7.9% had retinopathy. Most of the patients were treated with intensified insulin therapy with four daily injections, while 15.4% used an insulin pump (Table 1). We determined thyroid function according to average TSH and FT4 levels, which were 11.18 ± 18.21 Miu/mL and 9.62 ± 6.09 pmol/L, respectively. We recorded the anti-TPO antibody and anti-Tg antibody levels as well as the type of treatment received by each patient (Table 1).

We observed that 49.04% of the T1DM and CAT patients presented with FSD. Precisely, the distribution of the FSD components was as follows: 56.86%, loss of libido; 47.05%, orgasm; 43.13%, lubrication; 33.33%, arousal; 19.6%, pain; and 47.05%, satisfaction problems. When we stratified the parameters of sexual function by the presence of CAT, we observed that significantly more patients with hypothyroidism than those with euthyroidism presented with FSD. Precisely, the FSFI (24.00 [22.80–30.00] vs. 28.80 [25.20–32.30]; Mann–Whitney U test, U = 821.00; p = 0.001) and the FSDS-R score were significantly higher in the former than in the latter (41.00 [8.00–43.00] vs. 8.00 [4.00–40.00]; Mann–Whitney U test, U = 1,929.00; p < 0.001). We observed that most of the parameters of FSD were similar between the control group patients and the patients with euthyroidism, e.g., there were no significant differences in the proportion of patients presenting with dysfunctions of desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain as well as in the FSDI (28.80 [26.60–30.00] vs. 28.80 [25.20–32.30]; Mann–Whitney U test, U = 2,875.00; p = 0.108) and FSDS-R scores (8.00 [6.00–10.00] vs. 8.00 [4.00–40.00], Mann–Whitney U test, U = 2,497.00; p = 0.928). The percentage of each component, along with the p-values from the comparisons between controls, patients with euthyroidism, and patients with hypothyroidism are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Description of sexual function stratified by the presence of hypothyroidism
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We compared the principal parameters described above between T1DM patients with FSD and those without FSD. Patients with FSD were significantly older than patients without FSD (33.00 [31.00–35.00] years vs. 28.00 [22.00–30.00] years; p < 0.001). In addition, the presence of FSD was associated with DM duration (24.00 [21.00–28.00] years vs. 20.00 [9.00–25.50] years; p = 0.005). On the contrary, we observed that the presence of FSD was not associated with high HbA1c, fasting glycemia, postprandial glycemia, and total cholesterol (HDLc, LDLc, TG) levels.

The parameters describing thyroid function were significantly different between patients with and those without FSD; precisely, TSH level was significantly higher in patients with FSD (7.00 [6.00–13.38] vs. 1.88 [1.11–3.08], p < 0.001), while the FT4 level was significantly lower (7.90 [1.20–12.80] vs. 12.50 [10.95–14.55], p < 0.001). The detailed comparison between patients with vs. without FSD can be found in Table 3.

Table 3 Comparative description of patients with FSD vs. without FSD
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A significantly higher number of patients with FSD than those without FSD presented with depressive disorders (67.05 vs. 4.2%, p < 0.001). Moreover, a significantly higher number of patients with FSD and CAT than those without CAT presented with goiter (24.7 vs. 8.33%, p = 0.018). Interestingly, a significantly higher number of patients using insulin pumps than those using injections presented with FSD (24.7 vs. 4.2%, p < 0.001).

Univariate logistic regressions

We used univariate logistic regression models to examine the impact of patients’ characteristics on the presence of FSD. We observed that age was a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 1.077; 95% CI, 1.027–1.129; p = 0.002). DM duration (OR, 1.030; 95% CI, 1.001–1.059; p = 0.026) and high BMI were also significant risk factors for FSD (OR, 1.121; 95% CI, 1.011–1.241; p = 0.022).

Regarding DM management and associated complications, we observed that HbA1c levels were not a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 1.056; 95% CI, 0.970–1.149; p = 0.209). On the contrary, diabetic polyneuropathy was a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 2.418; 95% CI, 1.096–5.336; p = 0.029).

High level of TSH was a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 1.085; 95% CI, 1.030–1.143; p = 0.002), while high level of FT4 was a significant protective factor against the risk of developing FSD (OR, 0.889; 95% CI, 0.827–0.956; p = 0.002). Moreover, the presence of goiter was a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 3.010; 95% CI, 1.241–7.298; p = 0.015).

Patients with depressive disorder had 30.412 times higher odds of developing FSD than patients without depression (95% CI, 9.301–95.126). Moreover, patients using insulin pumps had 7.547 times higher odds of developing FSD than patients who did not (95% CI, 2.716–20.973).

Multivariate logistic regression

We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the effects of patient characteristics on the presence of FSD. We applied the Bonferroni correction resulting in statistical significance being accepted when p < 0.01. Thus, all continuous independent variables were found to be linearly related to the logit of the dependent variable.

The obtained model was statistically significant (χ2(9) = 96.581, p < 0.001). Nagelkerke’s R2 coefficient indicated that predictor variables explained 80.7% of the variance in the presence of FSD. The statistically significant predictor variables were age, DM duration, CAT, diabetic polyneuropathy, depression, and use of insulin pump (Table 4).

Table 4 Predictors of the presence of FSD in women with T1DM (multivariate logistic regression model; Nagelkerke’s R2 = 0.807)
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Older women with T1DM had 1.162 times higher odds of developing FSD than younger women with T1DM (95% CI, 1.012–1.455; p = 0.002). Moreover, women with long DM duration had 1.197 times higher odds of developing FSD than women with short DM duration (95% CI, 1.060–1.351; p = 0.004). High BMI values predicted an increased likelihood of FSD (OR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.120–1.501; p = 0.040).

Well-managed DM, as per HbA1c values, was not a risk factor for FSD (OR, 1.012; 95% CI, 0.712–1.027; p = 0.812). However, coexisting CAT was a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 2.954; 95% CI, 1.631–3.885; p = 0.001). The women with goiter were not at a significantly high risk of developing FSD.

Women with the DM complication of polyneuropathy had 2.543 times higher odds of developing FSD (95% CI, 1.854–4.231; p = 0.003). Depression was a significant risk factor for FSD (OR, 3.463; 95% CI, 2.072–3.945; p < 0.001). Moreover, women using an insulin pump had 2.431 times higher odds of developing FSD than patients not using it (95% CI, 1.705–3.132; p < 0.001) (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Risk analysis for FSD in T1DM and CAT patients. The risk is expressed per 1 percentage point increase in HbA1c and 1 mg/dL point increase in fasting glycemia. For polyneuropathy, CAT, goiter, depression and use of insulin pump, the risk is expressed as a dichotomous variable. *Predictor variable is significant both independently and as a co-factor. Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CAT, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis

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Discussion

In this study, we focused on sexual dysfunction in Romanian women with T1DM and CAT. We observed that a significantly higher number of patients with T1DM and CAT (49%) than those with T1DM only (33.7%; p = 0.025) presented with FSD. A significantly higher number of women with FSD in the group with T1DM and CAT than in the group with only T1DM complained of sexual problems: 27.9% vs. 8.9 (p < 0.001), desire; 23.1 vs. 7.9% (p = 0.003), orgasm; 21.2 vs. 5.9% (p = 0.002), lubrication; 17.3 vs. 6.9% (p = 0.023), arousal; 9.6 vs. 1% (p = 0.006), pain; and 20.2 vs. 9.9% (p = 0.040), satisfaction problems.

In Romania, there are no data on the prevalence and risk factors for FSD. The prevalence and type of sexual dysfunction vary worldwide. A difference was observed in the prevalence of FSD between healthy women and women with diabetes and/or thyroid diseases. According to recent studies, the prevalence of FSD is higher in patients with DM than in the general population. In women with T1DM, the prevalence of FSD varies between 18 and 71%, and the odds ratio is 2.27 in patients with FSD [36]. A study performed by Ezlin et al. reported that sexual dysfunction was more frequent in women with T1DM than in healthy women (27 vs. 15%), with a predominance of decreased lubrication [37]. In the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/EDIC study, FSD was reported in 35% women, featuring loss of libido, orgasm disorders, impairment of lubrication and arousal, and pain during sexual activity [38]. Dimitropoulos et al. found that FSD characterized by altered desire, arousal, and satisfaction was present in 15.9% of the women with T1DM as opposed to in 2.1% of the women in the control group [39].

The prevalence of FSD was 46.1% in patients with thyroid as opposed to 20.7% in healthy patients [40]. In our study, the prevalence of FSD was higher because of the association between the two autoimmune diseases: T1DM and CAT. Both diseases can lead to atherosclerosis, one of the causes of FSD. The association between thyroid disease and vaginal lubrication and orgasm explains the high prevalence of these two disorders in our study. In women with T1DM, the main factors involved in FSD development are atherosclerotic process, nervous system impairment, and endothelial dysfunction [41]. Chronic hyperglycemia causes a decrease in mucus production and lubrication, resulting in an increased prevalence of bacterial and fungal infections. Owing to the atherosclerotic process, arterial blood flow is decreased in the female genital organs, causing a decrease in vaginal lubrication and sexual stimulation [41]. Moreover, hormonal imbalances often occur because of T1DM, which can induce a decline in sexual desire, inadequate lubrication of the vagina, orgasm disturbances, and coital pain. Besides the somatic causes, various psychosocial factors such as poor body self-perception, fear of hypoglycemia, feeling of guilt and disgrace, and discontentment can also cause FSD. Depression frequently accompanies diabetes and is associated with a lack of energy, absence of sexual desire, lack of self-esteem, difficulties in pleasure perception, and psychosocial problems causing irritability, which are risk factors for FSD [24]. Some drugs are also involved in the occurrence of FSD, namely barbiturates, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-lipid medications, beta-blockers, clonidine, digoxin, spironolactone, oral contraceptives, histamine H2–receptor blockers, indomethacin, ketoconazole, etc. In our study, the patients were treated with beta-blockers for hypertension, but we did not find any association between FSD and these medications. Another cause of the high prevalence of FSD in women with T1DM was the presence of chronic diabetic complications (neuropathy, in particular). We found an association between FSD and the presence of diabetic polyneuropathy as previously reported [42]. Neuropathy may decrease genital blood flow, leading to an impaired genital arousal response. Bock et al. studied FSD in the context of vaginal blood flow, clitoral sensitivity, and association with diabetes complications. They found that T1DM patients with retinopathy presented with a low vaginal pulse amplitude, while T1DM patients with neuropathy had a high sensation threshold for vibrotactile stimulation of the clitoris [43].

Another predictive factor of FSD was old age, given the hormonal changes with increasing age. In our study, this was a risk factor for FSD, similar to that previously reported [44]. Some previous studies explored the correlation between FSD and BMI. Among these, some showed no correlation between the two, while others found a correlation between FSFI with BMI, but not with the waist-hip ratio. From the six FSD parameters evaluated, four correlated with BMI (arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual pleasure) [45]. We found a correlation between FSD and high BMI.

To evaluate the risk factors for FSD in women with T1DM, we also studied the DM duration, glycemic balance expressed by glycated hemoglobin level, and lipid profile. Over the last few years, T1DM treatment has been intensified with the introduction of insulin analogs, insulin pump therapy, and continuous glucose monitoring; hence, DM control has improved, resulting in a reduced impact on sexual life. Furthermore, the treatment of dyslipidemia has been intensified, and the targets for lipid parameters have been reduced, resulting in improved control of dyslipidemia. We found an association between DM duration and FSD, but not between glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and FSD. Moreover, previous studies on T1DM did not show a correlation between glycated hemoglobin and FSD [46]. Using an insulin pump was one of the risk factors for FSD in our study. Insulin pumps are perceived negatively with respect to sexual activity among women; further research is required regarding pump disconnection during sex.

Some studies reported an increase in FSD in women with T1DM and depression [46]. In our study, depression was a significant risk factor of FSD. Similarly, depression was the main risk factor for FSD in the study performed by Ezlin et al. [37], the DCCT/EDIC study [38], and the study performed by Dimitropoulos et al. [39]. Patients with T1DM experience a decrease in self-esteem and increased feelings of loneliness, isolation, or suffering as friends, family, or partners do not understand the effect of insulin administration on their lifestyle; the patients also experience loss of attractiveness due to weight gain secondary to insulin treatment.

In the univariate logistic regressions, we found that the presence of goiter was a significant risk factor for FSD, but it was not a predictive factor, as per the multivariate logistic regression. Other studies also showed that women with thyroid nodular goiter presented with a high risk of developing FSD [47].

T1DM is an autoimmune disease that can lead to other autoimmune diseases, usually CAT that develops to hypothyroidism over time. Several studies showed an influence of thyroid diseases on fertility (ovarian and menstruation cycles). In our study, coexisting CAT was a significant risk factor for FSD. Veronelli et al. observed that women with DM and hypothyroidism had low levels of arousal and desire. Furthermore, they also had depressive disorders. Thus, these patients were susceptible to the development of atherosclerosis [48].

Limitations of the study

The first limitation of the current study is the number of participants. Intimate life is a very sensitive subject, and many women avoided responding to the questions about their sexual life, even under the condition of anonymity. Second, all participants were Caucasian; further studies are required with other ethnic groups (black race, Hispanic women, etc.).

Other limitations of our study include the administration of validated questionnaires for FSD assessment, which is a subjective assessment; in gynecological practice, there exist objective methods for FSD assessment, such as clitoral color, flow Doppler ultrasonography, and pulsatility index. Moreover, we did not investigate the impact of other psychological problems, personality types, and coping mechanisms on FSD.

Conclusions

We found that women with T1DM and coexisting CAT were at a high risk of developing FSD. Therefore, they should be aware of the risk factors. Reducing exposure to depression-generating factors and exercising caution while using insulin pumps are important measures. Moreover, even if DM management is not a direct risk factor for FSD, DM complications, such as polyneuropathy, are significant risk factors; therefore, it is crucial to ensure glycemic control and optimal DM management.

Availability of data and materials

The data from this research study are publicly available in supporting files.

Abbreviations

FSD:

Female sexual dysfunction

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

T1DM:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

CAT:

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis

OR:

Odds ratio

CI:

Confidence interval

BMI:

Body mass index

FSFI:

Female sexual function index

FSDS-R:

Female sexual distress scale-revised

BDI-II:

Beck's depression inventory-II scale

HDLc:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDLc:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

TG:

Triglycerides

TSH:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

FT4 :

Thyroxine

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the professionals from the Center for Diabetes Treatment of the “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara Emergency Hospital, Romania, for their valuable contribution to data acquisition.

Funding

We acknowledge the support offered by the Open Access Publication Fund of the "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Department of Internal Medicine - Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania

    Adriana Gherbon, Deiana Roman & Romulus Timar

  2. Clinic of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Pius Brinzeu” Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania

    Adriana Gherbon, Deiana Roman & Romulus Timar

  3. Department of Functional Sciences - Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu, 300041, Timisoara, Romania

    Mirela Frandes

  4. Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania

    Diana Anastasiu-Popov

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  1. Adriana Gherbon
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Contributions

Conception and experiment design: AG, MF, DR, and RT. Experimentation: AG, DR, and DAP. Data analysis: MF. Contributions to reagents/materials/analysis tools: AG, MF, DR, DAP, and RT. Draft preparation: AG, MF, DR, and DAP, and RT. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mirela Frandes.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

Our study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (The Ethics Committee of the Emergency Hospital, Timisoara), Number 52083/2019, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Gherbon, A., Frandes, M., Roman, D. et al. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction in Romanian women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: a comparative cross-sectional study. Diabetol Metab Syndr 12, 94 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-020-00602-7

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Keywords

Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome

ISSN: 1758-5996

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