title: Sexual function in women with and without urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: The sexual function of women with and without urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse (UI/POP) was compared using a condition-specific validated questionnaire, the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ). Eighty-three women with UI/POP and 56 without agreed to participate. PISQ scores were significantly lower among women with UI/POP than in those without (P = 0.003). No differences in the stages of sexual excitement were noted between groups. The frequency of intercourse was less with UI/POP than without (P= 0.04). Women with UI/POP restricted sexual activity for fear of losing urine more frequently than did those without (P = 0.005). No differences were reported in patients' or partners' sexual satisfaction. This study found that women with UI/POP have poorer sexual functioning than those without, as measured by the PISQ, and report less frequent sexual activity. In addition, women with UI/POP are more likely to restrict sexual activity for fear of incontinence, although they report similar levels of satisfaction with their sexual relationships as do women without UI/POP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque 87131, USA. rrogers@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villarreal
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kammerer-Doak
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qualls
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000503:physiopathology*