Sexual dysfunction associated with infertility. A comparison of sexual function during the fertile and the non-fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.

In a study of 40 couples with primary infertility, the "need to perform' over the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle was assessed. In 50% of women there was a statistically increased incidence of sexual dysfunction during this phase; loss of libido was the commonest dysfunction. In 30% of men a decrease in sexual function was experienced during the fertile phase of their partner's cycle, and 75% of men reported premature ejaculation during intercourse in greater than 10% of occasions--this was unaltered by the diagnosis of infertility. The frequency of intercourse was increased over the fertile phase. No correlation was found between sexual dysfunction and the identified infertile sexual partner.