ArticleSexual medicine2013
Long-term effects of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on sexuality in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Article in Sexual medicine, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on romantic relationships and intimacy among individuals with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and a meta-analysis.Journal of sleep research · 2025Pooled it
- Association of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment With Sexual Quality of Life in Patients With Sleep Apnea: Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery · 2018Trial
- The effect of positive airway treatment in women with sleep disordered breathing on the sexual and mental wellbeing of their male partners.Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung · 2025Article
- Three in a Bed: Can Partner Support Improve CPAP Adherence? A Systematic Review and Intervention Recommendations.Journal of personalized medicine · 2025Review
- A possible important regulatory role of estrogen in obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Review
- Global psychological assessment with the evaluation of life and sleep quality and sexual and cognitive function in a large number of patients with acromegaly: a cross-sectional study.European journal of endocrinology · 2022Article
- The Effect of Nursing Care Applied to Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Their Sexual Experiences and Quality of Life.Sexuality and disability · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionResults from a previous study showed that sexuality was negatively affected in females with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Data are sparse on the long-term effects of nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on sexual difficulties and sexual distress in female patients with OSA.
aimThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effects after 1 year of CPAP treatment on sexual difficulties, sexual distress, and manifest sexual dysfunction in female patients with OSA. The effect of CPAP on life satisfaction was also investigated.
methodsFifty-four therapy-compliant, female patients (age 22-71) received a survey before and after 1 year of nocturnal CPAP treatment. The questions on this survey were drawn from three self-administered questionnaires: two on sexuality and one on life satisfaction. The results were compared with a population sample. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used for assessment of daytime sleepiness.
main outcome measuresThe Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale, Manifest Female Sexual Dysfunction, four questions from Life Satisfaction 11, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were all used to measure outcome.
resultsIn total, 44 patients responded to the survey (81% response rate). The results were a significant, positive change in manifest female sexual dysfunction, but no significant changes in isolated sexual difficulties or sexual distress. Daytime sleepiness significantly decreased after 1 year. The results from the Life Satisfaction 11 questionnaire remained unchanged after 1 year.
conclusionsAfter 1 year of CPAP treatment, female patients with OSA reported reduced manifest sexual dysfunction. However, it cannot be concluded if this result is due to CPAP treatment alone. Furthermore, reduced daytime tiredness was found in the surveyed population. CPAP treatment, per se, does not seem to affect partner relationships. Petersen M, Kristensen E, Berg S, and Midgren B. Long-term effects of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on sexuality in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Sex Med 2013;1:62-68.
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