Comparison of male and female perspective in couples involved in sexual relationships and facing endometriosis

BACKGROUND: While the sexuality of patients with endometriosis is an established topic in research, the possible effect of endometriosis on partnership sexuality has come to the fore only recently. To improve counseling, more information is needed on how both partners experience sexuality in the context of endometriosis. AIM: Previous research regarding endometriosis and sexuality normally focused on one partner to explore couples’ intimate relations, whereas this study provides a comparison on both partners’ perspectives on their common sexuality. METHODS: An overall 302 couples received a questionnaire based on the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning and Sexual History Form, which was modified by endometriosis specialists to better focus on endometriosis-specific aspects. To detect different perspectives on common sexuality within the couple, the Wilcoxon test and the Pearson chi-square test were performed. OUTCOMES: Various aspects of couple sexuality were assessed by both partners to investigate divergent perspectives between the man and the woman within a couple. RESULTS: On one hand, male and female partners seem to have divergent perspectives on sexual satisfaction in general, desired frequency of sexual contacts, and the question of the female partner engaging in sexual activity despite discomfort. On the other, they have similar perspectives on who takes initiative in sexual contacts, satisfaction with variety in the sexual relationship, and the impact of sexual limitations on their satisfaction within the partnership. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Endometriosis research addressing issues related to sexuality should include male partners; the same applies to consulting women with endometriosis in the context of their relationships rather than as individuals. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the first analysis conducted on a larger scale of data from both partners in couples dealing with endometriosis. As it provides quantitative information only, some qualitative information remains unexplored. CONCLUSION: As both partners showed tendencies to overestimate their partners’ sexual satisfaction and had different perspectives on sensitive topics in sexuality, such as the female partner engaging in sexual activity despite discomfort, addressing sexual communication could be a starting point in counseling couples dealing with endometriosis.