Neuromodulation and female sexual function: does treatment for refractory voiding symptoms have an added benefit?
OBJECTIVE
Women undergoing InterStim implantation for overactive bladder (OAB) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) were prospectively evaluated to determine if neuromodulation has any effect on female sexual function (FSF).


METHODS
Sexually active women in our InterStim database completed a female sexual function index (FSFI) preoperatively and at 6 months.


RESULTS
Of 105 women, 54 have 6-month follow-up data. Of these, 27 were sexually active preoperatively and at follow-up. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) FSFI improved from 18.7 (6.8) preoperatively to 21.0 (6.0) postoperatively; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.220). Subgroup analysis of patients with OAB revealed that mean (SD) FSFI preoperatively was 18.6 (8.0) and 22.4 (6.4) at 6 months (p = 0.257). In the PBS group, mean (SD) FSFI was 18.8 (6.3) preoperatively and 18.7 (5.8) at 6 months (p = 0.98).


CONCLUSIONS
Neuromodulation does not significantly improve FSF in a heterogenous population. Additional studies are needed to confirm the findings in our study.
Ingber
Michael S
MS
Department of Urology, Ministrelli Program for Urology Research and Education (MPURE), William Beaumont Hospital, 3535 W. Thirteen Mile Rd Suite 438, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA. IngberMD@aol.com
Ibrahim
Ibrahim A
IA
Killinger
Kim A
KA
Diokno
Ananias C
AC
Peters
Kenneth M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult