The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
PubMed 37131197 · doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02400-5
What was done
The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ScienceDirect up to July 2022 to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual dysfunction in women. From 235 identified records, 7 studies met the inclusion and quality criteria. Data were synthesized using a random-effects model, study heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 index, and publication bias was tested using the Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation test.
What was found
Based on 7 studies including 50,225 women, alcohol consumption was associated with higher odds of sexual dysfunction (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.006–3.04). The Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation test showed no statistically significant publication bias (p = 0.763).
Why it matters
This meta-analysis provides pooled quantitative evidence that alcohol consumption is linked to female sexual dysfunction, supporting awareness and screening in clinical settings.
Limits
The lower bound of the confidence interval is very close to unity (1.006). The abstract does not report specific alcohol dose thresholds, drinking patterns, definitions of sexual dysfunction, study designs of included papers, or the specific I2 heterogeneity value.
Cited by
- supports Women who consume alcohol are 74% more likely to experience pain during intercourse, lack of sexual desire, and disturbances in sexual arousal or orgasm compared to non-drinkers.