Dinâmica entre aspectos da vida sexual e satisfação relacional em mulheres com Síndrome de Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser

Abstract

Human beings often invest considerable time, effort, and resources into their romantic relationships in an effort to sustain them or protect them from threats. The wide range of actions involved in this process is referred to as relationship maintenance strategies. Among these, sex, the most distinctive feature of romantic as opposed to other intimate relationships, plays a central role. Through physical intimacy, sex enhances emotional bonding between partners, directly influences relationship satisfaction, and thereby contributes to the maintenance of romantic bonds. However, for individuals who face challenges related to sexual activity, sex may require adaptations or even the use of alternative strategies to foster physical intimacy. In this study, we investigated how sexual aspects (frequency of different sexual practices, sexual satisfaction, and sexual function) influence relationship dynamics (emotional bonding and relationship satisfaction) in a group of women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (n = 34), a congenital condition characterized by the complete or partial absence of the uterus and vaginal canal, compared with a control group (n = 80). Participants were women aged 18 to 64 years, engaged in romantic relationships lasting at least six months, and who adequately completed the questionnaires. The main findings indicated that, although both groups showed similar levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction, among women with the syndrome, relationship satisfaction was not associated with sexual satisfaction but rather with emotional bonding. These results are consistent with previous studies suggesting that individuals facing sexual challenges often rely on behaviors that strengthen emotional connection — such as affectionate gestures and physical closeness — as alternative strategies to preserve intimacy and maintain relationship satisfaction.