A new method to measure vaginal sensibility

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Sexual Health
• Medical Device Development

Background:

• Vaginal surgery can impact sexual function, potentially due to altered vaginal wall sensitivity.
• Assessing changes in vaginal sensibility is crucial for understanding post-surgical sexual outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel method for quantifying vaginal wall sensibility.
• To establish a reliable tool for objective measurement of vaginal sensory perception.

Main Methods:

• A new technique using a St Marks electrode on a gloved finger with a stimulating electrode was developed.
• Measurements were conducted on 12 healthy women across four vaginal areas by two independent researchers.
• Intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility were assessed using correlation coefficients.

Main Results:

• The developed method demonstrated excellent intra-observer reproducibility (correlation coefficients 0.77-0.96).
• Inter-observer reproducibility was moderate (correlation coefficients 0.39-0.49).
• Increased sensibility was noted in the cranial posterior vaginal wall compared to the anterior wall, with variations between researchers and oral contraceptive use.

Conclusions:

• A new instrument for measuring vaginal sensibility with high intra-observer reliability has been successfully developed.
• The method is sensitive enough to distinguish between different vaginal wall areas, though researcher variability exists.
• Further clinical validation is recommended, emphasizing consistent use by the same researcher for optimal results.