SEXATURN: sexual function of patients with Turner syndrome compared to that of women with premature ovarian insufficiency
Abstract
Introduction Reduced sexual activity has been reported in women with Turner syndrome (TS), a chromosomal disorder frequently associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), but data on sexual function and its qualitative aspects remain limited. Furthermore, few studies have compared sexual function of women with TS to that of women with POI from other etiologies (non-TS POI). Our aim was to assess sexual function in women with TS and compare it to that of women with non-TS POI, and to evaluate whether sexual dysfunction in TS is related to different comorbidities. Methods SEXATURN is a monocentric, cross-sectional study (NCT 05223621) conducted at a French reference center for rare endocrine diseases. We included women aged 18–50 years with TS or non-TS POI. Sexual function was assessed using the abbreviated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Clinical data were collected through questionnaires and electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the prevalence of impaired sexual function (FSFI-6 < 19). Secondary outcomes included comparison of FSFI-6 scores between TS and non-TS POI, FSFI-6 scores among sexually active patients and identification of factors associated with sexual dysfunction. Results A total of 205 women were included (99 with TS, 106 with non-TS POI). Impaired sexual function was observed in 49.5% of women with TS and 43.4% of women with non-TS POI, without significant difference (P = .38). Among sexually active women, prevalence rates of impaired sexual function were similar (30.6% vs 31%) in both groups. Women with TS reported later sexual age of onset, fewer partners, and lower orgasm frequency. No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, hormone replacement therapy nor TS-related comorbidities. Being single was strongly associated with impaired sexual function, particularly in women with TS (OR 8.82). Discussion Strengths are a well-phenotyped cohort from a reference center, the use of a validated questionnaire and high response rates. Limitations include intrinsic limits of the FSFI-6, which does not assess distress or broader sexual experiences. SEXATURN study shows that women with TS exhibit reduced sexual activity but similar rates of impaired sexual function compared to women with non-TS POI. Being in a relationship is a protective factor. Our findings support the need of sexual and psychological care into multidisciplinary management of patients with TS. Methods: SEXATURN is a monocentric, cross-sectional study (NCT05223621) conducted at a French reference center for rare endocrine diseases. We included women aged 18-50 years with TS or non-TS POI. Sexual function was assessed using the abbreviated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Clinical data were collected through questionnaires and electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the prevalence of impaired sexual function (FSFI-6 < 19). Secondary outcomes included comparison of FSFI-6 scores between TS and non-TS POI, FSFI-6 scores among sexually active patients and identification of factors associated with sexual dysfunction. Results: A total of 205 women were included (99 with TS, 106 with non-TS POI). Impaired sexual function was observed in 49.5% of women with TS and 43.4% of women with non-TS POI, without significant difference (P = .38). Among sexually active women, prevalence rates of impaired sexual function were similar (30.6% vs 31%) in both groups. Women with TS reported later sexual age of onset, fewer partners, and lower orgasm frequency. No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, hormone replacement therapy nor TS-related comorbidities. Being single was strongly associated with impaired sexual function, particularly in women with TS (OR 8.82). Discussion: Strengths are a well-phenotyped cohort from a reference center, the use of a validated questionnaire and high response rates. Limitations include intrinsic limits of the FSFI-6, which does not assess distress or broader sexual experiences. SEXATURN study shows that women with TS exhibit reduced sexual activity but similar rates of impaired sexual function compared to women with non-TS POI. Being in a relationship is a protective factor. Our findings support the need of sexual and psychological care into multidisciplinary management of patients with TS. Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05223621) registration date January 24, 2022 and date of enrolment of the first subject December 02, 2022.
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BibTeX
@article{paillette2026sexaturn,
title = {{SEXATURN: sexual function of patients with Turner syndrome compared to that of women with premature ovarian insufficiency}},
author = {Eugénie de Paillette and Daphne Karila and Alexandra Rousseau and Emma Dubost and Tiphaine Meykiechel and Sophie Lamothe and Camille Vatier and Sylvie Jaillard and Mariana Nedelcu and Nathalie Bourcigaux and Bruno Donadille and Sophie Christin-Maitre},
journal = {Sexual Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/sexmed/qfag074},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05748918v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - SEXATURN: sexual function of patients with Turner syndrome compared to that of women with premature ovarian insufficiency
AU - Eugénie de Paillette
AU - Daphne Karila
AU - Alexandra Rousseau
AU - Emma Dubost
AU - Tiphaine Meykiechel
AU - Sophie Lamothe
AU - Camille Vatier
AU - Sylvie Jaillard
AU - Mariana Nedelcu
AU - Nathalie Bourcigaux
AU - Bruno Donadille
AU - Sophie Christin-Maitre
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Sexual Medicine
DO - 10.1093/sexmed/qfag074
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05748918v1
AB - Introduction Reduced sexual activity has been reported in women with Turner syndrome (TS), a chromosomal disorder frequently associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), but data on sexual function and its qualitative aspects remain limited. Furthermore, few studies have compared sexual function of women with TS to that of women with POI from other etiologies (non-TS POI). Our aim was to assess sexual function in women with TS and compare it to that of women with non-TS POI, and to evaluate whether sexual dysfunction in TS is related to different comorbidities. Methods SEXATURN is a monocentric, cross-sectional study (NCT 05223621) conducted at a French reference center for rare endocrine diseases. We included women aged 18–50 years with TS or non-TS POI. Sexual function was assessed using the abbreviated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Clinical data were collected through questionnaires and electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the prevalence of impaired sexual function (FSFI-6 < 19). Secondary outcomes included comparison of FSFI-6 scores between TS and non-TS POI, FSFI-6 scores among sexually active patients and identification of factors associated with sexual dysfunction. Results A total of 205 women were included (99 with TS, 106 with non-TS POI). Impaired sexual function was observed in 49.5% of women with TS and 43.4% of women with non-TS POI, without significant difference (P = .38). Among sexually active women, prevalence rates of impaired sexual function were similar (30.6% vs 31%) in both groups. Women with TS reported later sexual age of onset, fewer partners, and lower orgasm frequency. No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, hormone replacement therapy nor TS-related comorbidities. Being single was strongly associated with impaired sexual function, particularly in women with TS (OR 8.82). Discussion Strengths are a well-phenotyped cohort from a reference center, the use of a validated questionnaire and high response rates. Limitations include intrinsic limits of the FSFI-6, which does not assess distress or broader sexual experiences. SEXATURN study shows that women with TS exhibit reduced sexual activity but similar rates of impaired sexual function compared to women with non-TS POI. Being in a relationship is a protective factor. Our findings support the need of sexual and psychological care into multidisciplinary management of patients with TS. Methods: SEXATURN is a monocentric, cross-sectional study (NCT05223621) conducted at a French reference center for rare endocrine diseases. We included women aged 18-50 years with TS or non-TS POI. Sexual function was assessed using the abbreviated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Clinical data were collected through questionnaires and electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the prevalence of impaired sexual function (FSFI-6 < 19). Secondary outcomes included comparison of FSFI-6 scores between TS and non-TS POI, FSFI-6 scores among sexually active patients and identification of factors associated with sexual dysfunction. Results: A total of 205 women were included (99 with TS, 106 with non-TS POI). Impaired sexual function was observed in 49.5% of women with TS and 43.4% of women with non-TS POI, without significant difference (P = .38). Among sexually active women, prevalence rates of impaired sexual function were similar (30.6% vs 31%) in both groups. Women with TS reported later sexual age of onset, fewer partners, and lower orgasm frequency. No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, hormone replacement therapy nor TS-related comorbidities. Being single was strongly associated with impaired sexual function, particularly in women with TS (OR 8.82). Discussion: Strengths are a well-phenotyped cohort from a reference center, the use of a validated questionnaire and high response rates. Limitations include intrinsic limits of the FSFI-6, which does not assess distress or broader sexual experiences. SEXATURN study shows that women with TS exhibit reduced sexual activity but similar rates of impaired sexual function compared to women with non-TS POI. Being in a relationship is a protective factor. Our findings support the need of sexual and psychological care into multidisciplinary management of patients with TS. Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05223621) registration date January 24, 2022 and date of enrolment of the first subject December 02, 2022.
SN - 2050-1161
ER -