Cognitive-behavioral Group Counseling and Sexual Satisfaction in Women with Endometriosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MSc Student of Counseling in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2023.72973.2134

Abstract

Background and Aim: Endometriosis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of women that can have destructive effects on sexual function. In this regard, the need for counseling about sexual health services is part of the treatment and needs of patients with endometriosis. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral counseling on the sexual satisfaction of women with endometriosis.
Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 96 women with endometriosis referring to the clinic of Imam Reza Hospital and gynecology clinic in 2022-2023. Patients were divided to intervention and control groups using permutation blocks. The subjects in the intervention group received 7 online cognitive-behavioral group counseling sessions of 60-90 minutes weekly. The control group received routine care. The data were collected using the sexual satisfaction scale for women (SSSW) in the three stages of before, immediately and one month after the intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 25).
Results: The mean total score of sexual satisfaction immediately after the intervention (102.6±12.4) was significantly higher than the control group (81.5±19.9) (P<0.001). The mean total score of sexual satisfaction one month after the intervention (94.0±17.3) was significantly higher than the control group (81.6±19.4) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Since cognitive-behavioral group counseling was effective on increasing sexual satisfaction of women with endometriosis, also regarding to the benefits of this type of counseling, it is suggested this counseling approach be included in educational programs for reproductive health of women with endometriosis.

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