Kim Hye Moon, Chung ChaeWeon
College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Research Institute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Womens Health Nurs. 2025 Mar;31(1):9-21. doi: 10.4069/whn.2025.03.02. Epub 2025 Mar 28.
The increasing incidence of uterine fibroids (UFs) among women who could consider conception presents challenges. This study examined the relationships among fatigue, UF symptom severity, sexual function, anxiety, and loneliness across diverse life conditions and treatment stages in women with UFs wishing to maintain fertility.
This descriptive correlational study, guided by Levine's conservation model, included 221 women with UFs hoping to maintain their reproductive potential. Participants were recruited from gynecology-focused online communities, and data were collected through an online survey. The questionnaire gathered information on general and treatment-related characteristics, as well as measures of fatigue, UF symptom severity, sexual function, anxiety, and loneliness. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Welch test, and Pearson correlation analysis.
Most participants (91.9%) experienced fatigue, and sexual dysfunction was prevalent (85.5%). Fatigue, sexual function, anxiety, and loneliness levels were significantly intercorrelated (p≤.001), whereas UF symptom severity was only associated with fatigue (r=.51, p<.001) and sexual function (r=-.41, p<.001). Women without specific pregnancy plans exhibited greater anxiety and poorer sexual function than those with plans, and women with low economic status showed poorer outcomes for most variables. Women currently undergoing medical treatment reported the highest UF symptom severity, while those with a longer diagnosis history or not currently receiving treatment exhibited greater anxiety and loneliness.
Women with UFs intending to maintain fertility face multidimensional and interrelated health challenges. Beyond fibroid-focused treatments, clinical nursing and education should integrate physical and psychosocial health indicators while supporting reproductive health.
在可能考虑受孕的女性中，子宫肌瘤（UFs）的发病率不断上升，这带来了挑战。本研究调查了希望维持生育能力的子宫肌瘤女性在不同生活状况和治疗阶段中，疲劳、UF症状严重程度、性功能、焦虑和孤独感之间的关系。
这项描述性相关性研究以莱文的守恒模型为指导，纳入了221名希望维持生殖潜力的子宫肌瘤女性。参与者从专注于妇科的在线社区招募，数据通过在线调查收集。问卷收集了一般和与治疗相关的特征信息，以及疲劳、UF症状严重程度、性功能、焦虑和孤独感的测量数据。数据采用描述性统计、独立t检验、单因素方差分析、韦尔奇检验和皮尔逊相关分析进行分析。
大多数参与者（91.9%）经历过疲劳，性功能障碍很普遍（85.5%）。疲劳、性功能、焦虑和孤独感水平显著相互关联（p≤.001），而UF症状严重程度仅与疲劳（r=.51，p<.001）和性功能（r=-.41，p<.001）相关。没有具体怀孕计划的女性比有计划的女性表现出更大的焦虑和更差的性功能，经济地位低的女性在大多数变量上表现更差。目前正在接受治疗的女性报告的UF症状严重程度最高，而诊断历史较长或目前未接受治疗的女性表现出更大的焦虑和孤独感。
希望维持生育能力的子宫肌瘤女性面临多维度且相互关联的健康挑战。除了针对肌瘤的治疗外，临床护理和教育应在支持生殖健康的同时，整合身体和心理社会健康指标。
