Sexual Health Challenges in Individuals With and Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Study in Denmark

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can affect body image, quality of life, and sexual health. This study examined sexual challenges and dysfunctions among Danish individuals with and without IBD. In this population-based cross-sectional study, 62 675 participants from the Project SEXUS cohort were linked to the Danish National Patient Register, identifying 655 individuals diagnosed with IBD between 1996 and 2017 (437 with ulcerative colitis [UC] and 218 with Crohn's disease [CD]). In addition to study-specific measures, the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function and the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index were utilized to assess sexual dysfunctions. Logistic regression was used to compare individuals with UC or CD to those without IBD. Results were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Compared with those without IBD, individuals with IBD reported similar overall sex life satisfaction and relationship quality. However, individuals with UC more often reported hypoactive sexual desire disorder (men: aOR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.13-4.19; women: aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.04-2.66), and women with UC more often reported genital pain dysfunction (aOR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.26-4.19). Subgroup analyses revealed that patients with active disease, stoma, or perianal involvement had particularly elevated odds of sexual dysfunctions compared with non-IBD control subjects. Although the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function and 6-item Female Sexual Function Index scores did not indicate an excess of sexual dysfunction in the overall UC and CD populations, individuals with UC as well as patients with IBD experiencing active disease, stoma, or perianal involvement faced more sexual challenges than those without IBD. This highlights the need for gastroenterologists to proactively address sexual health and provide tailored support for patients with IBD.