Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Sexuality in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Metasyn-Thesis of Qualitative Studies

José Granero Molina
ORCID logo ,
María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte
* ORCID logo ,
Iria Dobarrio-Sanz
ORCID logo ,
Matías Correa-Casado
,
Carmen Ramos-Rodríguez
,
Patricia Romero-Alcalá
Version 1 : Received: 12 September 2023 / Approved: 13 September 2023 / Online: 14 September 2023 (07:19:09 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Granero-Molina, J.; Jiménez-Lasserrotte, M.M.; Dobarrio-Sanz, I.; Correa-Casado, M.; Ramos-Rodríguez, C.; Romero-Alcalá, P. Sexuality in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies. Healthcare 2023, 11, 2762. Granero-Molina, J.; Jiménez-Lasserrotte, M.M.; Dobarrio-Sanz, I.; Correa-Casado, M.; Ramos-Rodríguez, C.; Romero-Alcalá, P. Sexuality in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies. Healthcare 2023, 11, 2762.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a nonarticular rheumatic syndrome which presents as chronic musculoskeletal pain, stiffness and body aches. FMS affects approximately 2.5% of the population, mostly women. FMS causes physical and psychological problems and reduces quality of life. The objective of this study is to identify qualitative evidence about experiences of women diagnosed with FMS about their sexuality. Methods: Metasynthesis of qualitative studies. The search included articles published between 2000 and June 2023 on the PubMed, WOS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and SCIELO databases. Results: 450 articles were found through the initial search, of which, only 9 fulfilled the criteria and were included in the thematic synthesis. From this analysis, three main themes emerged: (1) “I want to, but I can’t”: FMS causes a shift in feminine sexuality. (2) Resetting sex life and intimacy. (3) Taking charge of a “new sexuality.” Conclusions: Women with FMS suffer from limitations of their sexuality that affect their partner. Pain, stiffness and a loss of desire make sexual encounters difficult. Becoming aware of this and striving not to lose their sexuality is key to coping with this problem. Women and their sexual partners can change roles and encourage communication, games, foreplay or touching. The use of lubricants, physical exercise and complementary therapies, along with social, professional and partner support, are key to coping with FMS.

Keywords

fibromyalgia syndrome; sexuality; female sexual dysfunction; qualitative research

Subject

Public Health and Healthcare, Other

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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