Can stronger pelvic muscle floor improve sexual function?
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the association between pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and sexual functioning.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of consecutive all women who were referred with a primary complaint of sexual dysfunction. Women underwent standardized clinical evaluation including pelvic muscle strength which was ranked from 0 (weak) to 2 (strong). The duration of pelvic muscle contraction was also recorded in seconds. Sexual function was evaluated by using a validated questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).


RESULTS
One hundred seventy-six women with a mean age of 37 +/- 11 years were included. Women with strong or moderate PFM scored significantly higher on the FSFI orgasmic and arousal domains than women with weak PFM (5.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.8, and 3.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.24, respectively; P < 0.001). The duration of PFM contraction was correlated with FSFI orgasmic domain and sexual arousal (r = 0.26, P < 0.001; r = 0.32, P < 0.0001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that both the orgasm and arousal function are related to better PFM function.
Lowenstein
Lior
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. lowensteinmd@gmail.com
Gruenwald
Ilan
I
Gartman
Irena
I
Vardi
Yoram
Y
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology*