Sexual function in women attending a urogynecology clinic

The study prospectively evaluated the relationship between sexual dysfunction and urodynamic diagnoses in 100 consecutive female patients referred for urogynecologic evaluation. Sexual function was evaluated by a detailed questionnaire that addressed four phases of the sexual cycle: desire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction. Each phase of the sexual cycle was assessed separately using a score of 1-4. Total sexual function (TSF) score was calculated by combining the scores of the four examined parameters (range 4-16). Analysis revealed statistically significant (P < 0.05) lower TSF scores in patients with detrusor instability (DI) than in those with genuine stress incontinence, sensory urge or mixed urodynamic diagnoses (8.65 +/- 4 versus 12.22 + 3.6, 10.25 +/- 4.1 and 11.47 +/- 4.1, respectively). Three per cent of the elderly women (>60 years) compared to 29% of the younger women (< or = 60 years) reported urinary incontinence during sexual activity. Sexual function should therefore be routinely evaluated in women presenting with urinary symptoms.