Does pelvic floor muscle training improve female sexual function? A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Women's Health
• Sexual Health
• Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Background:

• Female sexual function (SF) can be impacted by various factors, including pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a common intervention for pelvic floor disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on female sexual function (SF).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane).
• Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English, investigating PFMT's impact on women's SF.
• Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale, and data were analyzed qualitatively.

Main Results:

• Eight RCTs involving 1341 women were reviewed, with studies published between 1997 and 2014.
• Most studies reported significant improvements in SF scores following PFMT, particularly in women with pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Sexual function was the primary outcome in only one study, and populations were heterogeneous.

Conclusions:

• While many studies suggest PFMT improves aspects of female sexual function, results should be interpreted cautiously.
• High-quality RCTs specifically designed to assess PFMT's impact on female sexual function are necessary.
• Further research is needed to establish definitive conclusions regarding PFMT and SF.