Biologic Correlates of Sexual Function in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence

Effect of radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with vaginal laxity: A study protocol

BACKGROUND

Vaginal laxity is an underreported condition that negatively affects women's sexual function and their relationships. Evidence-based studies are needed to better understand this complaint and to discuss its treatment options. Thus, we present a study protocol to compare the effect of radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with complaints of vaginal laxity.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a prospective, parallel-group, two-arm, randomized clinical trial (Registry: RBR-2zdvfp-REBEC). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups of intervention (Radiofrequency or Pelvic Floor Muscle Training). The study will be performed in the Urogynecology outpatient clinic and in the physiotherapy outpatient clinic at the State University of Campinas-UNICAMP and will include women aged ≥ 18 years and with self-reported complaints of vaginal laxity. Participants will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention period) and will be followed up in two periods: first follow-up (30 days after intervention) and second follow-up (six months after intervention).

EXPECTED RESULTS

The results of this randomized clinical trial will have a positive impact on the participants' quality of life, as well as add value to the development of treatment options for women with complaints of vaginal laxity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: RBR-2zdvfp-Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos-REBEC (19/02/2020).

Association of Baseline Pelvic Floor Muscle Activities With Sexual and Urinary Functions In Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

BACKGROUND

The presence of reactive and strong pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activities is supposed to be associated with better urinary and sexual functions in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

AIM

This study was to explore the association of baseline PFM activities, both volitional and reflex, with urinary and sexual functions in women with SUI but who had no experience of PFM training programs before.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of a prospectively maintained database identified 125 sexually active women with SUI who had met the eligibility criteria. All patients had undergone intravaginal digital examination and pelvic ultrasound to detect volitional and reflex PFM activities, respectively, and responded to questionnaire surveys, including short forms of the urogenital distress inventory, incontinence impact questionnaire-7, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire. On pelvic ultrasound, an inward clitoral motion and an anorectal lift preceding or during coughing were regarded as the presence of reflex activities of the PFM.

OUTCOMES

The relationship of volitional and reflex PFM activities with pelvic floor dysfunction relating questionnaires and urethral function on urodynamic studies was analyzed.

RESULT

Of the 125 women studied, 30 (24.0%) had volitional PFM contraction strength less than grade 2, 74 (59.2%) grade 2 to 3, and 21 (16.8%) greater than grade 3 based on the modified Oxford grading scale. During or preceding coughing, an inward clitoral motion was not observed on ultrasound in 9 (7.2%) women and an anorectal lift was not observed in 8 (6.4%) women. The strength of volitional PFM contraction and the presence or absence of anorectal lift reflex was not associated with urethral and sexual function. In contrast, the absence of reflex inward clitoral motion was significantly associated with lower maximum urethral closure pressure (P = .042) and higher scores of urogenital distress inventory-6 (P = .006) and incontinence impact questionnaire-7 (P = .029).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Higher volitional PFM contraction strength was not associated with better sexual and urinary functions; however, loss of one reflex PFM activity was associated with poorer urinary function.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATION

To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the association of baseline PFM activities with sexual and urinary functions in female SUI. Nevertheless, the cross-sectional design of this study cannot well support the cause-effect relationship CONCLUSION: Besides PFM physiotherapy for enhancing sexual and urinary functions in female SUI, additional treatment strategies such as neuromodulation should take into consideration for those who had absent reflex PFM activities. Yang E, Yang SH, Huang WC, et al. Association of Baseline Pelvic Floor Muscle Activities With Sexual and Urinary Functions In Female Stress Urinary Incontinence. J Sex Med 2021;18:1698-1704.

Does the sexual function of the spouses change after the TOT procedure?

AIM

This prospective study aimed to evaluate sexual function in women who underwent transobturator tape (TOT) sling surgery and their male sexual partners compared to before the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included a total of 202 women with stress urinary incontinence who underwent the TOT procedure between April 2018 and February 2020, and their partners. All of the women completed the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire while their partners completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire before and 6 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Mean IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores were significantly lower at postoperative month 6 compared to preoperative values (p < 0.001). Mean FSFI scores were 22.5 ± 1.7 preoperatively and 27.8 ± 1.6 at postoperative month 6 (p < 0.001). Pain score did not change significantly (p = 0.4), but there were significant increases in the other FSFI domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The partners' mean IIEF score was 50.05 ± 5.4 preoperatively and increased to 59.7 ± 6.8 postoperatively (p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in erectile or orgasmic function (p = 0.16, p = 0.67), whereas desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction scores increased significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

TOT surgery improves sexual function not only in women but also their partners.

Role of Radiofrequency (Votiva, InMode) in Pelvic Floor Restoration

BACKGROUND

Postpartum pelvic floor disorders are estimated to impact 24% of women in the United States. This study describes the use of a radiofrequency device (Votiva, InMode) for postpartum pelvic floor restoration using an electrostimulator to objectively measure treatment effect.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation was conducted between April 2017 and May 2018 of consecutive patients undergoing vaginal radiofrequency treatment. Inclusion criteria were patients at least 6 weeks postvaginal delivery with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Resting pelvic floor muscle tone and maximal pelvic floor contraction were measured.

RESULTS

Fifty women were included in the study with an average age of 32 (29-40) years old, average of 2.6 pregnancies, and 1.8 vaginal deliveries. Two patients were lost to follow-up and excluded. Three complete radiofrequency treatments were performed in 31/50 patients, whereas 19 patients received 1-2 treatments. There were no adverse events from the radiofrequency treatment. No changes were found in resting pelvic muscle tone after Votiva treatment [Wilks' lambda = 0.98, F (1, 45) = 0.86, P = 0.36]. The quantity of treatments seemed to impact mean values of maximal pelvic floor contraction [F (1, 45) = 105.14, P < 0.001]. On the patient questionnaire, patients felt subjective improvement correlated to number of treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiofrequency is safe for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. This study showed no changes in resting pelvic muscle tone but an improvement in maximal pelvic floor contraction. A prospective randomized study is being conducted to further evaluate the efficacy of this technology.

Sexual function and Dyadic adjustment in women with urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

This study was planned to evaluate the effects of urinary incontinence (UI) on sexual function (SF) and dyadic adjustment.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 203 women with urinary incontinence. This study was conducted at Urogynecology Outpatient Clinic of our hospital between September 2017 and February 2018. Data were collected using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and "Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

RESULTS

The incidence of sexual dysfunction (SD) was higher in the patients who were in advanced age, had a husband older than them, entered menopause, had lower levels of education, had the higher frequency of UI and changed pads more frequently, and these patients had lower DAS scores.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that the majority of the participating women with UI experienced SD and that those with SD had lower DAS scores.

Impact of transobturator vaginal tape on female stress urinary incontinence and sexual function

Objective

To evaluate the effect of vaginal transobturator tape (TOT) on female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and sexual function.

Patients and methods

In all, 145 patients with SUI underwent TOT repair using the 'outside-in' technique. All patients had been sexually active in the previous 6 months. Patients were evaluated by history, routine laboratory investigations, cough stress test, abdominopelvic ultrasonography, and full urodynamic studies. The preoperative data assessed included: age, parity, body mass index, menopausal status, and Stamey grade of SUI. The intraoperative data assessed included: operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay; intra- and postoperative complications were also assessed. At 2 weeks after discharge, patients were followed-up with a routine examination and cough stress test. After 6 months' patients were assessed by urodynamic studies, maximum urinary flow rate, post-void residual urine volume. The following questionnaires were completed before and at 6 months after TOT insertion: International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

All sociodemographic data of the 145 patients were collected. According to ICIQ-SF scores, 122 patients were cured, 19 had improved, and four failed. There were significant improvements in the UDI-6 and FSFI scores, indicating that the women had significant improvement in their sexual life. There were six cases of urinary tract infection, five cases had a fever, and eight patients complained of groin or thigh pain postoperatively.

Conclusions

Correction of SUI using TOT appears to have a positive effect on female sexual function.

Coital incontinence: a factor for deteriorated health-related quality of life and sexual function in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To assess the impact of coital incontinence (CI) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and quality of sexual function (QSF) in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

Women were recruited for this cross-sectional study from among 289 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, underwent clinical and urodynamic evaluation. Of these 289 women, 127 sexually active women with SUI completed the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ), of whom 97 were enrolled for the study. The study group comprised 53 women with CI occurring 'sometimes', 'usually' or 'always', and the control group comprised 44 women without CI. Total and individual domain scores were evaluated.

RESULTS

CI was reported by 65.35 % of the women. The frequency of CI was correlated with lower educational level and higher body mass index (r = 0.22 and r = 0.23, respectively; p = 0.01). The KHQ results showed significantly lower HRQoL in women with CI in all domains (p < 0.05) apart from Sleep/energy' (p = 0.054). PISQ revealed no significant differences in QSF in the Behavioral/emotive and Partner-related domains (34.3 ± 10.0 vs. 33.0 ± 12.2 and 18.0 ± 2.9 vs. 18.2 ± 3.6, respectively). Women with CI reported a significantly lower QSF in the Physical domain (29.1 ± 6.6 vs. 35.0 ± 4.6, p = 0.001), and the total PISQ score was lower but the difference was not significant (81.4 ± 14.3 vs. 86.2 ± 16.5). Total PISQ score was correlated with age (r = -0.28, p = 0.001). Women with CI were significantly more likely to admit that fear of incontinence or fear of embarrassment restricted their sexual activity (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A large percentage (65.35 %) of women with SUI reported CI, which had a negative impact on HRQoL and QSF in the Physical domain, but no significant impact on overall QSF.

[Miduretral sling and sexuality: a systematic review]

PURPOSE

To assess influence of miduretral sling (MUS) on patient's sexuality.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review using Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane: "stress urinary incontinence", "sexual function", "anti-incontinence surgery", "minimaly invasive slings", "mid-urethral slings", "tension-free vaginal tape", "transobturator vaginal tape". Sixty-nine articles really dealt with the impact of MUS on sexuality.

RESULTS

The data were expressed as the median and interquartile range (IQR; 25th-75th percentile). After MUS surgery, 30% (21-37) patients had sexuality improvement, 8.5% (4.7-14) had sexuality impairment and 60% (53-73) didn't report change on their sexuality.

CONCLUSION

MUS surgery didn't seem to impair significantly patient's sexuality.

Childbirth and female sexual function later in life

OBJECTIVE

To examine relationships among parity, mode of delivery, and other parturition-related factors with women's sexual function later in life.

METHODS

Self-administered questionnaires examined sexual desire, activity, satisfaction, and problems in a multiethnic cohort of women aged 40 years and older with at least one past childbirth event. Trained abstractors obtained information on parity, mode of delivery, and other parturition-related factors from archived records. Multivariable regression models examined associations with sexual function controlling for age, race or ethnicity, partner status, diabetes, and general health.

RESULTS

Among 1,094 participants, mean (standard deviation) age was 56.3 (±8.7) years, 568 (43%) were racial or ethnic minorities (214 African American, 171 Asian, and 183 Latina), and 963 (88%) were multiparous. Fifty-six percent (n=601) reported low sexual desire; 53% (n=577) reported less than monthly sexual activity, and 43% (n=399) reported low overall sexual satisfaction. Greater parity was not associated with increased risk of reporting low sexual desire (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.08, confidence interval [CI] 0.96-1.21 per each birth), less than monthly sexual activity (adjusted OR 1.05, CI 0.93-1.20 per each birth), or low sexual satisfaction (adjusted OR 0.96, CI 0.85-1.09 per each birth). Compared with vaginal delivery alone, women with a history of cesarean delivery were not significantly more likely to report low desire (adjusted OR 0.71, CI 0.34-1.47), less than monthly sexual activity (adjusted OR 1.03, CI 0.46-2.32), or low sexual satisfaction (adjusted OR 0.57, CI 0.26-1.22). Women with a history of operative-assisted delivery were more likely to report low desire (adjusted OR 1.38, CI 1.04-1.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women with at least one childbirth event, parity and mode of delivery are not major determinants of sexual desire, activity, or satisfaction later in life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Laxity of the vaginal introitus after childbirth: nonsurgical outpatient procedure for vaginal tissue restoration and improved sexual satisfaction using low-energy radiofrequency thermal therapy

INTRODUCTION

Vaginal childbirth may result in vaginal introital laxity, altered genital sensation during sexual intercourse, and reduced sexual satisfaction. We report the long-term effectiveness of a single nonsurgical procedure with radiofrequency (RF) energy for laxity at the vaginal introitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective single-arm study of 30 premenopausal women (21-52 year) with one 30-minute office procedure using RF applied to the vaginal introitus; 12-month outcome assessments included the linguistic validated Japanese versions of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) and the Vaginal Laxity and Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaires.

RESULTS

Sexual function improved significantly throughout 6 months (30 subjects); mean FSFI total score was 22.4±6.7 before treatment and then improved to mean 26.0±5.8 at month 6 (P=0.002), inclusive of improved scores in five of six FSFI domains except desire (P<0.001 -<0.01). In the 22 of 30 subjects remaining evaluable at 12 months, the mean was 26.0±5.2 (P=0.08). Distress related to sexual activity decreased significantly; baseline FSDS-R mean score of 15.8±11.7 improved to 9.8±8.0 at one month and was sustained throughout 12 months (P<0.001 - 0.002). Subjects reported decreased vaginal laxity within the first month after the procedure (P<0.001); responses peaked, and effectiveness was sustained through 12 months (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A single nonsurgical office-based RF procedure for vaginal introital laxity achieved significant and sustainable 12-month effectiveness with respect to improved integrity at the vaginal introitus and improved sexual satisfaction. Treatment was well-tolerated with no adverse events.

Radiofrequency treatment of vaginal laxity after vaginal delivery: nonsurgical vaginal tightening

INTRODUCTION

All women who have given birth vaginally experience stretching of their vaginal tissue. Long-term physical and psychological consequences may occur, including loss of sensation and sexual dissatisfaction. One significant issue is the laxity of the vaginal introitus.

AIM

To evaluate safety and tolerability of nonsurgical radiofrequency (RF) thermal therapy for treatment of laxity of the vaginal introitus after vaginal delivery. We also explored the utility of self-report questionnaires in assessing subjective effectiveness of this device.

METHODS

Pilot study to treat 24 women (25-44 years) once using reverse gradient RF energy (75-90 joules/cm(2) ), delivered through the vaginal mucosa. Post-treatment assessments were at 10 days, 1, 3, and 6 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pelvic examinations and adverse event reports to assess safety. The author modified Female Sexual Function Index (mv-FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), Vaginal Laxity and Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaires (designed for this study) to evaluate both safety and effectiveness, and the Global Response Assessment to assess treatment responses.

RESULTS

No adverse events were reported; no topical anesthetics were required. Self-reported vaginal tightness improved in 67% of subjects at one month post-treatment; in 87% at 6 months (P<0.001). Mean sexual function scores improved: mv-FSFI total score before treatment was 27.6 ± 3.6, increasing to 32.0 ± 3.0 at 6 months (P < 0.001); FSDS-R score before treatment was 13.6 ± 8.7, declining to 4.3 ± 5.0 at month 6 post-treatment (P < 0.001). Twelve of 24 women who expressed diminished sexual satisfaction following their delivery; all reported sustained improvements on SSQ at 6 months after treatment (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The RF treatment was well tolerated and showed an excellent 6-month safety profile in this pilot study. Responses to the questionnaires suggest subjective improvement in self-reported vaginal tightness, sexual function and decreased sexual distress. These findings warrant further study.

RETRACTED: The effect of the mode of delivery on the quality of life, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction in primiparous women and their husbands

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Following the retraction of Dr. Safarinej ad's work by other journals, The Journal of Sexual Medicine has undertaken an extensive re-review of all papers Dr. Safarinejad published with the journal. Following an intensive re-evaluation and close scrutiny of the manuscripts, our expert reviewers raised multiple concerning questions about the methodology, results, and statistical interpretation as presented in this article. Dr. Safarinejad was contacted to provide his original data and offer explanations to address the concerns expressed by the reviewers. Dr Safarinejad chose not to respond. The co-authors of the article have also been contacted and did not respond either. Consequently, we can no longer verify the results or methods as presented and therefore retract the article.