The effect of migraine and tension-type headaches on female sexual functions: A prospective, cross-sectional, controlled study

Özet

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of migraine and tension-type headaches (TTH) on femalesexual function.Material and methods: In this prospective study, sexually active females; 45 who were suffering from migraines, 47 who were TTH patients as diagnosed by a neurology clinic, and 50 who were healthy women thatserved as the control group were included. Sexual functions of the cases were evaluated through the FemaleSexual Function Index (FSFI) with Turkish validation and the results were compared among the groups.Results: There was no significant difference between the ages and body mass index (BMI) of the migraine,TTH, and control groups. Although there was no significant difference between the FSFI scores of womenwith migraines and TTH, the FSFI scores of these two groups were found to be statistically significantlylower than that of the control group (16.77±4.27, 17.56±3.47, 26.81±3.19) (p<0.001). When all subgroupscales of FSFI scores were examined, both migraine and TTH groups were found to be significantly lowerthan the control group (p<0.001).Conclusion: This study shows that migraines and TTH disrupt the quality of life for patients and cause female sexual dysfunction. Therefore, it is important that patients with neurologic disorders are also evaluatedfor sexual dysfunction.