Abstract
Several studies have investigated sexual function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). All reports agree that sexual function seems frequently impaired in this condition. This dysfunction is usually severe and may affect all domains of sexuality. Given the complexity of factors involved in human sexual function and the intricacy of the physiopathology of FM, many factors and mechanisms have been implicated. Per our literature review, depression may be the main contributing factor to FM-related sexual dysfunction. However, prospective studies are needed, as reports have lacked sufficient quality to draw definitive conclusions. Recognition of sexual dysfunction and its inclusion in multidisciplinary management are needed to improve quality of life for patients with FM.
Similar content being viewed by others
References and Recommended Reading
Wolfe F, Anderson J, Harkness D, et al.: Work and disability status of persons with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 1997, 24:1171–1178.
Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, et al.: The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia. Report of the Multicenter Criteria Committee. Arthritis Rheum 1990, 33:160–172.
Turk DC, Okifuji A, Sinclair JD, Starz TW: Pain, disability and physical functioning in subgroups of patients with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 1996, 23:1255–1262.
Shaver JL, Wilbur J, Robinson FP, et al.: Women’s health issues with fibromyalgia syndrome. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2006, 15:1035–1045.
Orellana C, Casado E, Masip M, et al.: Sexual dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2008, 26:663–666.
Aydin G, Basar MM, Keles I, et al.: Relationship between sexual dysfunction and psychiatric status in premenopausal women with fibromyalgia. Urology 2006, 67:156–161.
Tikiz C, Muezzinoglu T, Pirildar T, et al.: Sexual dysfunction in female subjects with fibromyalgia. J Urol 2005, 174:620–623.
Ünlü E, Ulas UAürçy E, et al.: Genital sympathetic skin responses in fibromyalgia syndrome. Rheumatol Int 2006, 26:1025–1030.
De Costa ED, Kneubil MC, Leao WC, et al.: Assessment of sexual satisfaction in fibromyalgia patients. Einstein 2004, 2:177–181.
Tristano AG: The impact of rheumatic diseases on sexual function. Rheumatol Int 2009, 29:853–860.
Vermeulen RC, Scholte HR: Chronic fatigue syndrome and sexual dysfunction. J Psychosom Res 2004, 56:199–201.
Arnold LD, Bachmann GA, Rosen R, et al.: Vulvodynia: characteristics and associations with co-morbidities and quality of life. Obstet Gynecol 2006, 107:617–624.
Kadri N, Mchichi Alami KH, Mechakra Tahiri S: Sexual dysfunction in women: population based epidemiological study. Arch Womens Ment Health 2002, 5:59–63.
Heim C, Ehlert U, Hellhammer DH: The potential role of hypocortisolism in the pathophysiology of stress-related bodily disorders. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2000, 25:1–35.
Monga TN, Tan G, Ostermann HJ, et al.: Sexuality and sexual adjustment of patients with chronic pain. Disabil Rehabil 1998, 20:317–329.
Ambler N, Williams AC, Hill P, et al.: Sexual difficulties of chronic pain patients. Clin J Pain 2001, 17:138–145.
Staud R, Rodriguez ME: Mechanisms of disease: pain in fibromyalgia syndrome. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol 2006, 2:90–98.
Winfield JB: Psychological determinants of fibromyalgia and related syndromes. Curr Rev Pain 2000, 4:276–286.
Yunus MB: Psychological aspects of fibromyalgia syndrome: a component of the dysfunctional spectrum syndrome. Baillieres Clin Rheumatol 1994, 8:811–837.
Yunus MB: Fibromyalgia and overlapping disorders: the unifying concept of central sensitivity syndromes. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2007, 36:339–356.
Taylor ML, Trotter DR, Csuka ME: The prevalence of sexual abuse in women with fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum 1995, 38:229–234.
Wallace DJ: The fibromyalgia syndrome. Ann Med 1997, 29:9–21.
Russell IJ, Raphael KG: Fibromyalgia syndrome: presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and vulnerability. CNS Spectr 2008, 13:6–11.
Schlesinger L: Chronic pain, intimacy and sexuality: a qualitative study of the women who live with pain. J Sex Res 1996, 33:249–256.
Van Berlo WTM, Vennix P, Rasker JJ, et al.: Rheumatic diseases and sexuality: a review of the literature. Rheum Europe 1999, 28:113–117.
Thieme K, Turk DC, Flor H: Comorbid depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia syndrome: relationship to somatic and psychosocial variables. Psychosom Med 2004, 66:837–844.
Kurtze N, Gundersen KT, Svebak S: The role of anxiety and depression in fatigue and patterns of pain among subgroups of fibromyalgia patients. Br J Med Psychol 1998, 71:185–194.
Kool MB, Woertman L, Prins MA, et al.: Low relationship satisfaction and high partner involvement predict sexual problems of women with fibromyalgia. J Sex Marital Ther 2006, 32:409–423.
Martinez-Lavin M, Hermosillo AG: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction may explain the multisystem features of fibromyalgia. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2000, 29:197–199.
Motofei IG: A dual physiological character for sexual function: the role of serotonergic receptors. BJU Int 2008, 101:531–534.
Basson R: A model of women’s sexual arousal. J Sex Marital Ther 2002, 28:1–10.
Traish AM, Kim NN, Munarriz R, et al.: Biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of female genital sexual arousal. Arch Sex Behav 2002, 31:393–400.
Cohen H, Neumann L, Shore M, et al.: Autonomic dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia: application of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2000, 29:217–227.
Berman JR, Bassuk J: Physiology and pathophysiology of female sexual function and dysfunction. World J Urol 2002, 20:111–118.
Seng JS, Clark K, McCarthy AM, Ronis DL: PTSD and physical comorbidity among women receiving Medicaid: results from service-use data. J Trauma Stress 2006, 19:45–56.
McBeth J, Silman AJ: The role of psychiatric disorders in fibromyalgia. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2001, 3:157–164.
Meyer-Lindenberg A, Gallhofer B: Somatized depression as a subgroup of fibromyalgia syndrome. Z Rheumatol 1998, 57:92–93.
Prins MA, Woertman L, Kool MB, Geenen R: Sexual functioning of women with fibromyalgia. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2006, 24:555–561.
Arnold LD, Bachmann GA, Rosen R, Rhoads GG: Assessment of vulvodynia symptoms in a sample of US women: a prevalence survey with a nested case control study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007, 196:128.e1–128.e6.
Reed BD, Haefner HK, Punch MR, et al.: Psychosocial and sexual functioning in women with vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain: a comparative evaluation. J Reprod Med 2000, 45:624–632.
Clayton AH: Female sexual dysfunction related to depression and antidepressant medications. Curr Womens Health Rep 2002, 2:182–187.
Montejo AL, Llorca G, Izquierdo JA, Rico-Villademoros F: Incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant agents: a prospective multicenter study of 1022 outpatients. Spanish Working Group for the Study of Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction. J Clin Psych 2001, 62:10–21.
Alexander RW, Bradley LA, Alarcon GS, et al.: Sexual and physical abuse in women with fibromyalgia: association with outpatient health care utilization and pain medication usage. Arthritis Care Res 1998, 11:102–115.
Castro I, Barrantes F, Tuna M, et al.: Prevalence of abuse in fibromyalgia and other rheumatic disorders at a specialized clinic in rheumatic diseases in Guatemala City. J Clin Rheumatol 2005, 11:140–145.
Gordon AS, Panahian-Jand M, McComb F, et al.: Characteristics of women with vulvar pain disorders: responses to a web-based survey. J Sex Marital Ther 2003, 29:45–58.
Bendtsen L, Norregaard J, Jensen R, Olesen J: Evidence of qualitatively altered nociception in patients with fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum 1997, 40:98–102.
Aikens JE, Reed BD, Gorenflo DW, Haefner HK: Depressive symptoms among women with vulvar dysesthesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003, 89:462–466.
Kiecolt-Glaser J, Newton TL: Marriage and health: his and hers. Psych Bull 2001, 127:472–503.
Dunn KM, Croft PR, Hackett GI: Association of sexual problems with social, psychological, and physical problems in men and women: a cross sectional population survey. J Epidemiol Community Health 1999, 53:144–148.
Ryan S, Hill J, Thwaites C, Dawes P: Assessing the effect of fibromyalgia on patients’ sexual activity. Nurs Stand 2008, 23:35–41.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orellana, C., Gratacós, J., Galisteo, C. et al. Sexual dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia. Curr Rheumatol Rep 11, 437–442 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-009-0064-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-009-0064-7