The relationship between overactive bladder and sexual activity in women.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the relationships between bladder symptoms, demographic, and medical history variables and sexual dysfunction in women with overactive bladder (OAB) disorder.


METHODS
Seventy-eight women diagnosed with OAB completed self-administered questionnaires related to overall heath status, bladder function, and sexual function. Data were compiled for questionnaire responses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of sexual dysfunction.


RESULTS
Bothersome bladder symptoms were reported by > or = 60% of the sample. Sixty-percent of the sample was sexually active in the past month. Difficulty with sexual arousal, orgasm, and sexual enjoyment were reported by about 25% of the women. Sexual partner status was the best predictor of sexual arousal, orgasm, and sexual enjoyment. Menopausal status emerged as an important predictor of arousal and sexual enjoyment.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of women with symptoms of OAB viewed these symptoms as bothersome. However, the extent of symptom bother did not predict aspects of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Instead, menopausal and partner status emerged as the best predictors of FSD in our sample.
Patel
Ankur S
AS
Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
O'Leary
Margie L
ML
Stein
Robert J
RJ
Leng
Wendy W
WW
Chancellor
Michael B
MB
Patel
Subodh G
SG
Borello-France
Diane
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology