Urinary Incontinence and Associated Female Sexual Dysfunction

Urinary incontinence (UI) and sexual dysfunction are common conditions often undiagnosed and untreated in women and are associated with decreased quality of life.

To evaluate the relation between UI and female sexual dysfunction (FSD), considering incontinence type and the psychosocial and physiologic aspects of sexual function.

PubMed search of terms related to UI and FSD from 1979 to 2016 generated 603 published references, of which 26 were included. Nine additional studies came from bibliographic review.

Rates and types of sexual dysfunction.

In cross-sectional and case-control studies, UI was associated with increased rates and severity of FSD. Coital UI occurred in 24% to 66% of women with UI. Impaired body image, fear of coital UI, avoidance of sex, and complete abstinence were more common in women with UI. Deficits in desire, lubrication, satisfaction, and increased pain were found across numerous studies. Mixed UI was associated with more FSD than urgency UI and stress UI. Multiple studies suggest urgent UI is more bothersome than stress UI. Coital UI was associated with a urodynamic diagnosis other than genuine stress incontinence in 25% to 50%. Leakage at penetration was associated with stress UI; leakage at orgasm was associated more often with detrusor overactivity.

Women's UI is associated with increased rates of sexual dysfunction, suggesting concurrent screening is warranted. Clarifying timing of coital leakage would facilitate targeted treatment. Standardization of FSD measurements could better elucidate the relation between UI and FSD. Duralde ER, Rowen TS. Urinary Incontinence and Associated Female Sexual Dysfunction. Sex Med Rev 2017;5:470-485.