2023-09-09 03:02:07
Sexual dysfunction affects between 40 and 50% of adult women, at different stages of their lives.
Briefly, it is characterized by female arousal disorder, orgasm, genito-pelvic pain, or even penetration disorders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 29.9% of women aged 15 to 49 had anemia in 2019.
In women, iron deficiency is most often due to heavy abnormal bleeding that can occur during menstruation. It can also be caused by a vegan or vegetarian diet that is too low in iron-rich foods.
Most of the time, an iron deficiency results in paleness, fatigue, shortness of breath during exercise, headaches, dizziness, or dry skin and hair.
A study on the potential link between iron deficiency and sexual dysfunction in women
A recent study published in the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews showed thata lack of iron in women, at several ages, can explain sexual dysfunction. Indeed, iron deficiency anemia (iron deficiency anemia) “presents many of the signs and symptoms present in women suffering from sexual dysfunction, such as fatigue, anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment” reported the authors of the study.
To reach these findings, presented at the 25th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urogynecology, the researchers conducted literature searches in PubMed, aiming to find articles on sexual dysfunction in women, in association with key terms for iron deficiency and anemia.
Iron deficiency and female sexual dysfunction: a proven link
“The reasons for the relationship between low iron levels and sexual dysfunction are multifactorial but include neurological, endocrinological and psychological factors,” explains the study report.
Among these factors, it should be noted that iron influences the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, hormones involved in sexual response. An iron deficiency can therefore explain a reduction in sexual function.
Also, iron deficiency involves hormonal changes that can affect sexual function. “For example, levels of prolactin, a hormone associated with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, are elevated in iron deficiency, and changes are observed in the expression of peripheral prolactin receptors,” details the study.
Iron deficiency: how to treat it?
Oral iron supplementation is generally recommended as the first step of treatment, in the event of a deficiency. “It has been shown to correct anemia and improve health-related quality of life and sexual function in women,” the researchers said.
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