Prevalence of restless genital syndrome among pregnant women presenting with vaginal discharge and genital symptoms.

Authors

Funda Demirel, Filiz Manga Gunaydin

Published in

Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung. Volume 30. Issue 5. Aug 11, 2026. Epub Aug 11, 2026.

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of restless genital syndrome (RGS) among pregnant women presenting with vaginal discharge or genital complaints and to evaluate the association between RGS and levels of anxiety and depression. The reported prevalence reflects a symptom-based clinical subgroup rather than that of the general pregnant population.
This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study included 305 pregnant women who presented at the Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic with vaginal discharge or other genital complaints during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded, and all participants completed the Restless Genital Syndrome diagnostic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
RGS symptoms were identified in 140 (45.9%) participants. As the study population consisted exclusively of pregnant women presenting with genital complaints, this frequency should not be interpreted as representative of the general pregnant population. According to the BAI, severe anxiety levels were significantly higher in women with RGS than in those without RGS (p = 0.026). Mild depression, based on the BDI, was also significantly more frequent in the RGS group (p = 0.003). A significant positive correlation was found between anxiety and depression scores (r = 0.622, p < 0.001).
RGS symptoms were frequently observed among pregnant women presenting with genital complaints, such as discharge and itching. These symptoms were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. However, given the cross-sectional design and the symptom-based sample, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Clinicians evaluating pregnant women with genital discomfort should consider RGS in the differential diagnosis.

PMID:
42579197
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Aug 2026.

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