DO COMPLAINTS RELATED TO POLYCYSTIC OVARIES AFFECT SEXUALITY AND MARITAL ADJUSTMENT? Polikistik Overlere Bağlı Şikayetler Cinselliği ve Evlilik Uyumunu Etkiliyor mu?

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SOYLU ERENER N., Turhan İ., BAYRAKTAR E., Dolanbay M.

Journal of Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, cilt.28, sa.2, ss.227-235, 2026 (Scopus, TRDizin)

Özet

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects women’s emotional and psychological well-being, sexual life, and social relationships. In the literature, there are limited studies examining the effects of PCOS on variables such as dyadic adjustment, quality of life, perceived social support, and female sexuality. Material and Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PCOS on female sexual function and dyadic adjustment in a hospital-based sample. A total of 206 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome were included in the study group. The data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), the Sexual Quality of Life–Female (SQOL-F), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the PCOS-specific Health-Related Quality of Life Scale (PCOSQ-50). Results: It was determined that women aged 36 years and older had significantly higher SQOL-F scores. Women who had been diagnosed with PCOS for 5 years or less had significantly higher RDAS scores. Additionally, women aged 36 years and older, those who were single, and those living in nuclear families had significantly higher PCOSQ-50 scores. Women who had been with their sexual partners for five years or longer and those who had children had significantly lower MSPSS scores. A weak positive correlation was found between SQOL-F scores and RDAS scores (ρ=0.214, p=0.002), a weak positive correlation between SQOL-F scores and MSPSS scores (ρ=0.255, p<0.001), and a moderate positive correlation between SQOL-F scores and PCOSQ scores (ρ=0.512, p<0.001). A moderate positive correlation was identified between RDAS scores and MSPSS scores (ρ=0.427, p<0.001). In addition, a weak positive correlation was found between RDAS scores and PCOSQ scores (ρ=0.231, p=0.001), and between MSPSS scores and PCOSQ scores (ρ=0.259, p<0.001). Conclusion: This study aims to contribute to the early identification of sexual problems in women with PCOS and to highlight the role of social support, thereby supporting the development of future treatment plans aimed at improving marital adjustment and overall quality of life.