O.S. Fedoruk, V.I. Zaitsev, M.S. Stepanchenko, I.I. Iliuk

Changing sexual function in women with interstitial cystitis chronic pelvic pain

In this study, sexual function of 44 females with interstitial cystitis / chronic pelvic pain (IC/CPP) was analyzed. Pain and urodynamic symptoms were compared. Control group included 28 practically healthy women. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) has been used for assessing the key dimensions of sexual function in women. Pain intensity was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS), somatic manifestations assessed by the O’Leary-Sant and Pelvic Pain and Urgency / Frequency Patient Symptom Scale (PUF) questionnaires.

As a result of the study, a positive correlation between the patient symptom worsening and the degree of sexual disorder was revealed (symptoms questioned by the O’Leary-Sant, PUF and VAS versus the FSFI scale: r=0.49, r=0.43; r=0.38, respectively). Thus, in 68.2% women with IC/CPP, sexual dysfunction was found to be moderate to severe, and 31.8% were severe disorders leading to a critical decline or abandonment of sexual activity. Only 21.4% of the control group women experienced minor or moderate disorders in the intimate area, while the vast majority of the cohort (78.6%) had virtually normal or completely satisfactory sexual function.