Depression and obesity, but not mild obstructive sleep apnea, are associated factors for female sexual dysfunction

Purpose Mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more prevalent than moderate and severe OSA and is more frequent in men than women. The association between OSA and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is still poorly explored in published studies. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of FSD in women with mild OSA and assess the impact of OSA on FSD, as well as to determine the predictors for FSD risk. Methods The sample comprised 70 women aged 26–65 years: a control group (N = 28) with no sleep complaints, and a group with mild OSA (an apnea–hypopnea index of 5 or more and less than 15 events/hour, N = 42), who had been diagnosed using polysomnography performed in the sleep laboratory of a sleep research institute. All participants volunteered to take part in the study and completed the female sexual function index (FSFI), the Beck depression index (BDI), the Kupperman menopausal index (KMI), and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Their socioeconomic group was assessed using the Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion. Polysomnography and serum levels of free testosterone and total testosterone were analyzed. Results We found low FSFI scores (< 26.55) in the mild OSA (18.1) and control (21.7) groups ( p = 0.97). There was no statistically significant difference between the mild OSA group and the control group. However, a higher BMI ( p = 0.04), a higher BDI ( p = 0.02), and being sexuality inactive ( p = 0.001) were risk factors for FSD. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of FSD in the entire sample. The presence of mild OSA did not affect sexual function in this sample. Depressive symptoms and a high BMI were associated risk factors for FSD. Being sexually active may protect female sexual function.