Effect on Sexual Function of Patients and Patients' Spouses After Midurethral Sling Procedure for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Single Center Study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect on sexual function of patients and their spouses after transobturator tape (TOT) procedure, prospectively. Midurethral sling procedure has been widely performed for treatment of urinary incontinence; however, little has been reported regarding sexual function after surgery.


METHODS
Between September 2012 and June 2013, 65 patients undergoing TOT and their sexual partners were enrolled. An investigation was conducted using validated, self-administered questionnaires, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and satisfaction domain on Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) for evaluation of couple's sexual function. They completed the research on preoperative and postoperative visits at 3, 6, and 12 months.


RESULTS
Of 65 couples, 56 couples completed this study. The mean age of patients and their partners were 46.7 ± 5.7 and 49.1 ± 6.2 years, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 16.5 ± 2.9 months. A significant loss of total FSFI score was observed at postoperative 3 months (P = 0.003), which was regained after postoperative 6 months. In comparison with baseline and postoperative 12 months, total FSFI score showed significant improvement (P < 0.001). There were significant improvements in desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction on FSFI domain (P = 0.018, 0.012, 0.014, and 0.008, respectively). In male counterparts, significant improvements were observed in MSHQ satisfaction domain regarding sexual relationship, quality of sex life, partner's affection during sex, and communication about sex (P = 0.007, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement of incontinence by TOT can improve not only female sexual function but also sexual satisfaction of partners.
Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
Young Hwii
YH
Ko
Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, Korea.
Chang-Hyun
CH
Song
Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
Ji Woong
JW
Choi
Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
Hee Chang
HC
Jung
Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea. sph04@hanmail.net.
Phil Hyun
PH
Song
D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*
sexual dysfunction; suburethral slings; urinary incontinence