Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.04.13

Sexual Function and in Vitro Fertilization

Andrej Starc ; Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sanela Aljija ; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tomislav Jukić ; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and History of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Raja Dahmane Gošnak ; Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biomedicine in Health Care, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ante Rotim ; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zagreb, Croatia
Doroteja Pavan Jukić ; 6School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the sexuality of individuals undergoing in
vitro fertilization as one of the methods of infertility treatment. The focus was on sexual dysfunction,
sexual satisfaction and associated risk factors. Data were collected based on a validated, standardized
procedure. The sample consisted of 119 individuals who had undergone in vitro fertilization, 61
(51.3%) women and 58 (48.7%) men, average age 35 years. Most of the 119 survey participants were in
the 31-35 age group (37%), married (79.8%), with high school diploma (51.3%), Catholic denomination
(89.9%), childless (78.2%), with a one sexual partner in their lifetime (51.3%), and in current sexual
relationship for a period of 7 to 8 years (18.5%). The survey found statistically significantly higher
satisfaction among male participants, participants in the 26-30 age group, those with a higher level of
education, nonreligious, without children in marriage, with four sexual partners in life, over a period
of 1 to 2 years in current partner (sexual) relationship, and without a diagnosed sexual disorder. There
was a correlation between infertility, associated treatment, and sexuality. Infertility and involvement in
treatment procedures increased the risk of sexual dysfunction. The risk factors identified in our study
could help facilitate detection and timely treatment of sexual dysfunction, which would help maintain
healthy sexuality in couples participating in in vitro fertilization procedures.

Keywords

Infertility; In vitro fertilization; Sexual function; Sexual dysfunction; Sexual satisfaction

Hrčak ID:

301974

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/301974

Publication date:

1.12.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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