Within-Person Associations Between Sexual Life And Relationship Satisfaction In Women With Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome In Long-Term Relationships

Purpose : individuals with sexual dysfunctions represent a relevant population for relationship maintenance research because they explore how couples adapt to challenging circumstances. Once satisfaction plays a a crucial role in maintaining romantic relationships, with strong evidence indicating that sexual satisfaction significantly influences relationship satisfaction, investigating these adaptations provides valuable insights into the strategies couples employ to maintain relationships. This study investigates the dynamic between sexual life aspects and relationship satisfaction in women diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKH), a congenital condition characterized by the underdevelopment or absence of the uterus and vaginal canal. Methods : An online survey was conducted with 34 women diagnosed with MRKH (RG) and 80 women without the condition (CG). Clinical, sociodemographic, and behavioral data were collected, including relationship characteristics, sexual practices, sexual functioning, and emotional attachment to partners. Correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction while controlling relationship duration, parenthood, age, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status. Results : for RG, relationship satisfaction was not associated with sexual satisfaction even when considering relationship duration, parenthood, age, educational attainment, or socioeconomic status. Emotional attachment emerged as the sole predictor of relationship satisfaction in RG. Conclusion : these findings align with previous research suggesting that couples facing sexual challenges adapt their sexual scripts by prioritizing closeness and responsiveness (e.g., affection and physical proximity) to mitigate negative effects on their relationships. Understanding these compensatory mechanisms can offer valuable insights for research on relationship maintenance processes.