Uterine myomas, dyspareunia, and sexual function.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of deep dyspareunia (DD) and characteristics of sexual life in women with uterine myomas.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Three hundred seven sexually active premenopausal women who underwent surgery because of uterine myomas (group M, n = 132), uterine myomas and ovarian cysts (group MC, n = 84), ovarian cysts (group C, n = 67), and tubal sterilization (group S, n = 24). Exclusion criteria were as follows: endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, interstitial cystitis, and preoperative treatment with GnRH analogues.


METHODS
Before surgery, patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound; number and characteristics of myomas were recorded.


METHODS
The presence and intensity of DD were determined. Patients completed a sexual-function questionnaire.


RESULTS
Patients included in the four groups had similar DD prevalence and DD intensity. No significant difference was observed in DD prevalence and pain intensity according to the number, position, and size of myomas. Deep dyspareunia intensity was higher in women with fundal and anterior myomas than in those with other myoma positions. No significant difference was observed in sexual function among the four study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with uterine myomas do not have increased prevalence or severity of DD; their sexual function is not impaired.
Ferrero
Simone
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Martino Hospital and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. simone.ferrero@fastwebnet.it
Abbamonte
Luiza Helena
LH
Giordano
Margherita
M
Parisi
Mauro
M
Ragni
Nicola
N
Remorgida
Valentino
V
D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017697:Premenopause; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery