The Relationship Between Pelvic Floor Function and Sexual Function in Perimenopausal Women

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Sexual Medicine
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Background:

• Perimenopausal women with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) experience diminished sexual function, impacting libido, orgasm, satisfaction, and overall scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
• Understanding the interplay between pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, hormonal changes, and sexual well-being is crucial during the menopausal transition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between PFM strength, hormone levels, and sexual function in perimenopausal women.
• To determine the relationship between sexual dysfunction, PFM strength, and hormonal profiles in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• An analytical cross-sectional study involved 252 women aged 40-55 without pre-existing pelvic floor disease.
• Data collected included FSFI scores, PFM strength assessments, and measurement of hormone levels.
• Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations and risk factors for sexual dysfunction.

Main Results:

• Women with dysfunctional PFM showed higher rates of overweight and experienced more sexual desire and orgasm disorders, alongside lower sexual satisfaction and FSFI scores.
• PFM strength demonstrated a significant positive correlation with libido, sexual satisfaction, and FSFI scores.
• Multivariate analysis indicated that increased PFM strength was associated with a reduced risk of sexual dysfunction in perimenopausal women.

Conclusions:

• Pelvic floor dysfunction negatively impacts sexual function in perimenopausal women, particularly in obese individuals, those with central adiposity, and those not on hormone replacement therapy.
• PFM strength is positively correlated with sexual arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and FSFI scores, highlighting its importance in maintaining sexual health.