de Melo Silva R, Da Roza TH, Secchi LLB, da Silva Serrão PRM, Resende APM. Can running influence women's sexual function?
Int Urogynecol J 2023;
34:905-911. [PMID:
35798997 DOI:
10.1007/s00192-022-05266-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
Studies have shown that athletes have three times increased risk of urinary incontinence compared to non-athletes, in addition to anal incontinence and sexual dysfunction (SD). This study aimed to assess the sexual and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) functions and to compare these variables among female athlete runners with and without SD and to identify predictive factors that may be associated with sexual function among the athletes.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study including 90 female runners, who ran ≥ 20 km/week for at least 6 months, had had sexual intercourse in the last 4 weeks and were > 18 years old. PFM function was assessed by vaginal palpation and manometry. Women also answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form to investigate presence of urinary incontinence. Sexual function was assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); total scores ≤ 26.5 were considered to indicate SD. The scores of each FSFI domain and the total score were compared individually between each predictor using simple linear regression. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Athletes with SD presented lower PFM strength. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis among all the predictor variables, FSFI domains and total score show that the Modified Oxford Scale is a predictor for the desire, excitation, lubrication, orgasm, pain and total score domains.
CONCLUSIONS
Female runners with lower PFM strength presented worse sexual function regardless of age, parity, BMI and running practice time.
Collapse