Archives of Health Science and Research
Original Articles

Sexual and Reproductive Health Concerns in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Their Spouses: A Qualitative Study

1.

Department of Reproductive Health, Research Center for Nursing and Midwifery Care, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2.

Department of Midwifery School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

Arch Health Sci Res 2024; 11: 24-30
DOI: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2024.23057
Read: 491 Downloads: 316 Published: 20 February 2024

Objective: The aim was to explain the sexual and reproductive health concerns of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their spouses.

Methods: This qualitative content analysis research was carried out among 16 Iranian women with PCOS and 7 husbands of these women. The participants were selected via purposive sampling and asked to attend semistructured in-depth interviews. Later, 5 women with PCOS, selected from the participants, were asked to participate in a focus group discussion and 5 interviews were conducted with experts. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Information collection continued until saturation and the collected data were analyzed via MAXqda11 software.

Results: According to the participants’ viewpoints and experiences, PCOS-related concerns were classified under 2 main categories: 1) Reproductive health concerns containing 4subcategories of reproductive disorders, progression of the disease, menstrual disorders, and challenges in receiving health services; 2) Sexual health concerns with 2 subcategories of marital dissatisfaction and unfavorable sexual function.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that sexual and reproductive health concerns of women with PCOS included menstrual and fertility disorders, disease development, marital dissatisfaction, and poor sexual function. Health policymakers and decision-makers are recommended to use our findings to design educational programs to promote the sexual and reproductive health of women with PCOS and their spouses

Cite this article as: Bokaie M, Bostani Khalesi Z, Farajkhoda T. Sexual and reproductive health concerns in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and their spouses: A qualitative study. Arch Health Sci Res. 2024;11(1):24-30.

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