Effect of sacral neuromodulation for faecal incontinence on sexual activity.
BACKGROUND
Faecal incontinence affects a percentage of the population and can have a significant effect on their ability to establish and maintain sexual relations.


METHODS
Sixteen consecutive patients with permanent sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for faecal incontinence completed a 'Sex Life Questionnaire' at their follow up visit to ascertain whether there was any improvement in this aspect of their life.


RESULTS
Nine of the sixteen patients was sexually active. These nine patients (median age 56 (35-61) years) had a significant reduction in faecal incontinence episodes per week from a median of 12 (1-55) to 1.5 (0-8.5) (P = 0.008). All nine patients reported that their sex life had been affected by feacal incontinence prior to SNM and seven had felt benefit from implantation. The median improvement in their sex life was 40% (1-100) and the percentage improvement was inversely correlated to age (r = -0.834, P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
SNM improves the quality of sexual activity in 78% of patients. More improvement seems to be gained the younger the patients.
Jarrett
M E D
ME
St. Mark's Hospital, Harrow, London, UK.
Nicholls
R J
RJ
Kamm
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome