Perineal motor potentials to magnetic stimulation, pudendal evoked potentials and perineal reflex in women

Motor potentials to transcranial and lumbar magnetic stimulation were recorded from the perineum in 14 healthy women. The response to transcranial stimulation presented an onset at 20.2 +/- 1.3 ms and a negative peak at 25.1 +/- 1.9 ms. Lumbar responses presented an onset at 5.1 +/- 0.8 ms, and the motor central conduction time measured 14.4 +/- 1.5 ms. Perineal reflex, cortical and lumbar pudendal evoked potentials were recorded after electrical stimulation of the labia minora. These tests are of possible clinical use in the evaluation of sphincter disturbances as they investigate the afferent and efferent pathways concerning pudendal nerve function.