Sexual function among women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research was to determine whether sexual complaints, such as dyspareunia, are associated with pelvic floor disorders.


METHODS
We used data collected for the Maryland Women's Health Study. Among adult women scheduled for hysterectomy, we used multiple logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with 4 sexual complaints: decreased libido, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia.


RESULTS
Among 1299 participants, 495 (38.1%) had evidence of pelvic floor disorders. Sexual complaints were significantly more common among women with pelvic floor disorders (53.2% vs 40.4%, P < .01). In the multiple regression model, urinary incontinence was significantly associated with low libido (odds ratio [OR] 1.96), vaginal dryness (OR 2.11), and dyspareunia (OR 2.04), independent of age, educational attainment, and race. In contrast, pelvic organ prolapse was not associated with any sexual complaint.


CONCLUSIONS
In a cohort of women planning hysterectomy, women with urinary incontinence were significantly more likely to report sexual complaints.
Handa
Victoria L
VL
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md, USA. vhanda1@jhmi.edu
Harvey
Lynn
L
Cundiff
Geoffrey W
GW
Siddique
Sohail A
SA
Kjerulff
Kristen H
KH
D000328:Adult; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009948:Orgasm; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000150:complications*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology