Sexual function and attitudes toward surgery after feminizing genitoplasty

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Surgical outcomes
• Female sexual health

Background:

• Feminizing genitoplasty is performed in childhood for various conditions.
• Long-term outcomes regarding sexual function are important to evaluate.
• Patient perspectives on surgical timing are crucial for care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess sexual function in adult females after childhood feminizing genitoplasty.
• To evaluate patient attitudes toward the timing and outcomes of their surgery.
• To compare sexual function with age-matched controls.

Main Methods:

• Questionnaire-based assessment of 24 females who underwent genitoplasty in childhood.
• Inclusion of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and androgen insensitivity.
• Comparison of 18 adult patients with 900 age-matched controls using the Female Sexual Function Index.

Main Results:

• Sexual intercourse began later in the patient group (median age 19 vs 17 years).
• Overall sexual function was similar between sexually active patients and controls.
• Decreased sexual desire and orgasm difficulties were common, but severe pain was rare in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Adult females who underwent feminizing genitoplasty in childhood initiate sexual activity later.
• Patients generally prefer early surgical intervention.
• Satisfactory sexual function is achievable in adulthood following childhood genitoplasty.