Does Burch colposuspension cure coital incontinence?

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Female sexual health
• Pelvic floor reconstructive surgery

Background:

• Coital incontinence, or urinary leakage during sexual activity, is a distressing condition impacting women's quality of life.
• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common cause of coital incontinence, often necessitating surgical intervention.
• The Burch colposuspension is a well-established surgical procedure for treating SUI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of Burch colposuspension on coital incontinence in women with coexisting stress urinary incontinence.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this surgical treatment in resolving or alleviating symptoms of incontinence during sexual activity.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of sexually active women with coital incontinence who underwent Burch colposuspension for SUI.
• Postoperative assessment of bladder and sexual function via interviews or questionnaires after a minimum 6-month follow-up.
• Analysis of symptom resolution and improvement rates for both SUI and coital incontinence.

Main Results:

• Out of 43 women, 30 completed the follow-up. Preoperatively, 73% experienced leakage during penetration, 10% during orgasm, and 17% during both.
• Burch colposuspension successfully treated SUI in 77% of patients.
• Coital incontinence was cured in 70% and improved in 7% of the women studied.

Conclusions:

• Burch colposuspension demonstrates significant potential for curing or improving coital incontinence.
• Successful treatment of SUI with Burch colposuspension appears to positively influence associated coital incontinence.
• This study suggests that surgical correction of SUI can restore sexual function and quality of life.