# Effects of olfaction on sexual function, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in men and women with smell disorder: a cross-sectional controlled study

## TL;DR

This study shows that people with reduced sense of smell have lower sexual function and quality of life compared to those with normal smell.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence linking olfactory dysfunction to sexual and psychological outcomes in both men and women.

## Key findings

- Hyposmic men scored significantly lower on all IIEF subscales compared to normosmic men.
- Hyposmic women scored significantly lower on all FSFI subscales compared to normosmic women.
- Both groups showed decreased quality of life and higher anxiety and depression scores.

## Abstract

Olfaction is necessary for healthy sexual intercourse. Better smell has been associated with a more positive sexual experience.

In this cross-sectional study, 40 patients diagnosed with a smell disorder and 60 healthy volunteers were included. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to sex. The female group had 19 patients and 25 female controls. The male group had 21 patients and 35 male controls. Sniffin’ Sticks tests, the World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) were applied to all participants. In addition, the international index of erectile function (IIEF) was applied to male participants, and the female sexual function index (FSFI) to female participants. The relationship between the Sniffin’ Sticks test and the WHOQOL, FSFI, IIEF, and HADS scores in both groups was analyzed statistically.

Hyposmic men scored significantly lower on all IIEF subscales (p < 0.001), while hyposmic women scored significantly lower on all FSFI subscales (p < 0.001).

Multivariate logistic regression analysis in men showed 4.9 times lower overall satisfaction (95% CI 1.8–10.1) in hyposmic versus normosmic patients (p = 0.003). Satisfaction was 2.7 times lower (95% CI 1.5–4.8) in hyposmic women compared to normosmic women (p = 0.001).

Both IIEF and FSFI were significantly lower in the hyposmic group. This supports previous research showing that decreased olfactory function is associated with decreased sexual function.