Women's sexual dysfunction: a review of the "surgical landscape"

Female sexual function in bladder cancer: A review of the evidence

Background

Bladder cancer (BC) treatments are known to be invasive; nevertheless, research into the long-term effects is limited and in the context of sexual function often male focussed. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has been reported in up to 75% of female patients. This systematic scoping review examines the literature on sexual consequences of BC in female patients.

Objective

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the evidence on female sexual function in BC to identify areas of unmet need and research priorities.

Evidence Acquisition

We performed a critical review of PubMed, PsychMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library in March 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews statement following Levac et al. methodology. Identified reports were reviewed according to the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) criteria. 45 publications were included.

Evidence Synthesis

There was an inconsistent use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), with commonly used PROMs having a narrow symptom focus. However, common symptoms emerged: loss of desire, orgasmic disorders, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, difficult intromission, reduced clitoral sensation, psychological concerns related to diagnosis, fear of contamination and body image. Sexual activity was reduced in most groups, despite women expressing a motivation to retain sexual function. The degree of symptom distress associated with FSD is underreported. Evidence emerged regarding a gap for women in clinician counselling and follow-up.

Conclusions

The patient's perspective of FSD in BC patients is poorly understood and under-addressed in clinical practice. There have been very few qualitative studies of FSD in BC. Any intervention designed to address the problem must start with greater understanding of both the patients' and clinicians' perspective.

Lay Summary

We examined the evidence on sexual consequences of BC in women. It is apparent that despite common themes of sexual dysfunction emerging, the problem is poorly understood and addressed in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the Female Sexual Function after Vaginal Surgery Using the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index)

Urinary Incontinence (UI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) have a detrimental effect on Female Sexual Function (FSF). We decided to focus on the effect of vaginal surgery for UI and/or POP on FSF.

Materials and Methods

72 women (aged 42–80, mean age: 62) were given the FSFI questionnaire after undergoing the following operations: 54 Tension-Free Vaginal Slings (TFVS), 12 Kelly plications, 3 hysterectomies+Kelly 2 Tension-Free Vaginal Slings+Kelly 1 hysterectomy+Kelly+posterior IVS.

Results

35 women did not answer the questionnaire, 6 women were sexually inactive and answered only partially; 31 patients answered completely. Mean pre- and postoperative scores were, respectively, 25.26 and 25.22 (normal >26.55). 9 patients had a normal preoperative score, whereas 22 a pathological score. The FSFI score did not change postoperatively in 26 women; it worsened in 3 and improved in 2 women treated because of coital incontinence.

Conclusions

Vaginal surgery for UI and/or POP does not seem to affect FSF in the great majority of cases; conditions may worsen or improve, the latter definitely resulting from the treatment of Coital Incontinence. The high number of patients not answering the questionnaire deserves further studies and it could be - at least partially - explained on the basis of psychological and/or cultural problems regarding the highly emotional issues of sex, incontinence and prolapse.

Bringing the body of the iceberg to the surface: the Female Sexual Dysfunction Index-6 (FSDI-6) in the screening of female sexual dysfunction

PURPOSE

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a still poorly studied and underdiagnosed condition. The aim of the study was to produce an improved version of FSFI-6 (6-Item Version of the Female Sexual Function Index), entitled Female Sexual Dysfunction Index-6 (FSDI-6), and to estimate its accuracy as a screening instrument for FSD.

METHODS

In the new version, an item related to the personal interest in having a satisfying sex life was added, while the item rating the entity of sexual arousal was removed. We administered FSDI-6 in a consecutive series of female adult patients not consulting for sexual problems (n = 120, Cohort 1), and in another series of patients specifically consulting for sexual problems, which were considered as the control group (n = 160, Cohort 2).

RESULTS

FSDI-6 score was significantly higher in patients in Cohort 2 (p < 0.0001). Cronbach's alpha for FSDI-6 was 0.784, indicating a high level of reliability. The estimated area under the ROC curve for FSDI-6 was 0.657 (p < 0.0001, 95 % CI 0.584-0.730). The proportion of subjects with a pathological FSDI-6 score (≥16.5) was 29.9 (n = 32) and 59.4 % (n = 95) in Cohort 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.0001). Among subjects with a pathological FSDI-6 (score ≥16.5), those consulting for FSD had been postmenopausal for fewer years, had a higher level of education, a lower BMI and a lower prevalence of chronic diseases than those not consulting for FSD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although a lower educational level, overweight/obesity, menopause and chronic diseases are risk factors for FSD, they are often associated with the failure in medical consultation for FSD. We propose that FSDI-6 should be performed by health care providers in non-specialist settings to detect potential FSD, which otherwise could remain under-diagnosed.

Safety of culdotomy as a surgical approach: implications for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of culdotomy as a surgical approach to access the peritoneal cavity and discuss its implications for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of women undergoing culdotomy for tubal sterilization (N 219) between January 1995 and December 2005 was performed. The Accordion Grading System was used for the severity of complications.

RESULTS

No intraoperative complications were noted. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients (3.2%): 6 infections (grade 2) and 1 case of hemorrhage (grade 3). Conversion to laparoscopy was necessary in 10 patients (2.2%) due to anatomical constraints or pelvic adhesions; however, culdotomy with entry into the abdominal cavity was nevertheless successful in all 10 cases. The difference in the proportion with a history of pelvic surgery between the conversion and nonconversion groups was not statistically significant (P = .068). Patients with BMI ≥30 had a higher conversion rate compared to patients with BMI <30 (11.4% versus 1.5%, P = .011). Tubal sterilization via culdotomy was successfully performed in all 11 women with no prior vaginal deliveries.

CONCLUSION

Culdotomy appears to be a safe surgical approach to access the peritoneal cavity and is associated with a low complication rate. These data support the feasibility and safety of utilizing the cul-de-sac as an access portal for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Sexuality among patients with a colostomy: an exploration of the influences of gender, sexual orientation, and Asian heritage

A large number of patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer experience construction of a colostomy and subsequent sexual dysfunction. However, sexual problems are easily neglected or concealed by patients, partners, and medical staff. This literature review explores sexual concerns, dysfunctions, and related factors that directly or indirectly influence sexuality after rectal cancer surgery, including gender differences, sexual orientation, sexual partners, and cultural beliefs. Results of this literature review suggest that additional research is needed that focuses on both anatomical and physiological changes after creation of a colostomy as well as psychological, gender based, and sociocultural factors affecting sexuality.

Insight into urogynecologic features of women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) among gynecologic patients attending vulvar disease or pelvic pain clinics is higher than expected. The evaluation of gynecologic characteristics in patients with IC/PBS could be important to delineate a better therapeutic strategy.

METHODS

We compared clinical gynecologic characteristics including localized and generalized vulvodynia and sexual activity of 47 women with a definite diagnosis of IC/PBS versus 47 negative controls.

RESULTS

The prevalence of both generalized or localized vulvodynia was 85.1% (40 of 47) in the patients and 6.4% (3 of 47) in the control group (p<0.0001 by Fisher exact test). The mean visual analogue score on generalized or localized vulvodynia evaluated with the cotton swab test was 6.1+/-2.6 (SD) among women with IC/PBS and 0.6+/-1.7 in the control group (p<0.0001 with Mann-Whitney U test). Pain during intercourse was described as unbearable by 15 women with IC/PBS (31.9%) and 2 controls (4.3%; p=0.001 by Fisher exact test). Sexual function was significantly impaired in women with IC as measured by the median total score of the Female Sexual Function Index in comparison with controls (13.8 vs. 28.7; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a definite diagnosis of IC/PBS appear to have a high risk of vulvodynia with the associated negative implications for sexual activity. The establishment of a multidisciplinary approach with the involvement of the gynecologist appears to be a logical requisite for a correct treatment strategy for these patients.

Pelvic floor muscle training improves sexual function of women with stress urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a program of supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sexual function, in a group of women with urodynamically diagnosed stress urinary incontinence (SUI), using a validated questionnaire. Incontinence episodes frequency and continence pads used per week were measured before and after treatment using a 7-day bladder diary. Improvements in sexual function were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Seventy women completed the 12-month program of supervised PFMT successfully. At the end of the study, incontinence episode frequency decreased by 38.1%, and patients required 39% less pads per week. All domains of the FSFI were also significantly improved with median total FSFI scores increasing from 20.3 to 26.8. This is one of the few studies to quantify, using a validated questionnaire, the improvement in sexual function of women with SUI, undergoing successfully a 12-month supervised PFMT program.

Female sexual dysfunction in urogenital prolapse surgery: colposacropexy vs. hysterocolposacropexy

INTRODUCTION

Colposacropexy (CSP), with or without hysterectomy, is a valid technique for the repair of severe urogenital prolapse. For many years, uterine prolapse has represented an indication for hysterectomy, apart from the presence or absence of uterine disease and the patient's desires. Nevertheless, sparing the uterus is essential to women not only to have normal sexual functioning but to maintain physical and anatomical integrity as well.

AIM

To assess sexual function in a group of patients who underwent CSP or hysterocolposacropexy (HSP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 37 patients who underwent surgery for urogenital prolapse (15 HSP, mean age 53 years; 22 CSP, mean age 56 years). Based on a preliminary sexual history and sexual questionnaire, all patients were sexually active before surgery. At a mean follow-up of 39 months, we reassessed the patients using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

We considered sexual activity with a score of 30 = good, 23-29 = intermediate, and <23 = poor.

RESULTS

In patients who underwent CSP and HSP, sexual activity was good in 13% and 26%, intermediate in 33% and 21%, and poor in 54% and 53%, respectively; considering also five patients who no longer had sexual activity postoperatively. Nevertheless, the statistical analysis, performed based on the data obtained from the FSFI questionnaire, showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups of points in terms of total score-CSP 21.1 (1.2-33.5) vs. HSP 22.8 (3.6-34.5)-and single domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) (P = not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated no substantial differences regarding sexual activity in patients in which the uterus has been spared as opposed to those in whom it has been removed. Furthermore, in a small percentage of cases, surgery actually reduced regular sexual activity.