Comparative assessment of sexual satisfaction in Polish patients with benign thyroid disease

The study aimed to assess sex life satisfaction among Polish patients with thyroid disease. A total of 378 participants (300 women, 78 men) treated between January 2018 and December 2019 completed validated questionnaires, including ThyPRO, WHO Quality of Life, the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (women), the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (men), and the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire (men). Overall, 58.7% of women and 40.3% of men reported a negative impact of thyroid disease on their sex life, and 71.4% of women and 47.2% of menreported decreased sexual desire. Among women with autoimmune thyroid disease, 67% with hypothyroidism and 65% with hyperthyroidism reported a negative impact despite pharmacological treatment. Among women, ThyPRO Impaired Sex Life scores correlated strongly with ThyPRO overall quality-of-life scores across all diagnoses ( p < 0.001). WHO-QoL scores correlated significantly only in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. In men with autoimmune hyperthyroidism, sexual quality of life scores correlated with ThyPRO Overall Quality of Life ( p < 0.031), all IIEF-15 domains ( p = 0.011 for erectile function; p = 0.004 for intercourse satisfaction; p = 0.004 for orgasmic function; p = 0.003 for sexual desire; p < 0.001 for overall satisfaction), and most SEAR domains ( p < 0.001 for sexual relationship; p = 0.036 for confidence; p = 0.029 for self-esteem; p = 0.001 for overall score). These findings suggest that nearly 60% of women and 40% of men with benign thyroid disorders experience deterioration in sexual well-being, even when thyroid hormone levels are within normal ranges. Women with autoimmune hypothyroidism appear to be at the highest risk for impaired sexual quality of life.