Sexual dysfunction in patients with painful bladder syndrome is age related and progressive.
OBJECTIVE
The degree of sexual dysfunction in patients with painful bladder syndrome (PBS) across their lifespan has not been previously documented.


METHODS
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a research tool to measure the degree of clinical female sexual dysfunction (FSD). This 19-item questionnaire evaluates FSD in six domains: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. This study used the FSFI with the additional variables of age, geographical location, and current medications. The participants were not blinded to the fact that this study was examining the link between PBS and FSD. Each question in the survey was targeted to a specific variable of FSD and the answers were rated on a Lickert scale.


RESULTS
When compared with controls, PBS patients self-report significant sexual dysfunction in all domains evaluated by the FSFI (p < 0.001). Age-specific results were observed in regards to the domains of arousal, lubrication, and pain (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
PBS patients report significant FSD in all domains when compared to controls (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the domains of arousal, lubrication, and pain exist between respondents < 30 years old and in those > 50 years of age. The extent of sexual dysfunction is worse in the areas of pain in each age group evaluated. Pain is the most significant finding in patients with FSD and PBS.
Zaslau
Stanley
S
Division of Urology, Robert C Byrd Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505-9238, USA.
Riggs
Dale R
DR
Perlmutter
Adam E
AE
Jackson
Barbara J
BJ
Osborne
Jill
J
Kandzari
Stanley J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires