Impact of Intravesical Chondroitin Sulfate Instillation on Sexual Function in Women with Interstitial...

Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), yet evidence regarding the effects of intravesical therapies on sexual function remains limited. Intravesical chondroitin sulfate was used as a therapeutic option to alleviate symptoms of IC/BPS by restoring the glycosaminoglycan layer of the bladder. On the basis of previous clinical evidence, we hypothesized that intravesical chondroitin sulfate instillation would be associated with improvements in female sexual function and bladder-related symptoms in women with IC/BPS.

This single-center retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected data from sexually active women with IC/BPS who underwent intravesical chondroitin sulfate instillation between January 2023 and March 2025. Patients refractory to conservative and oral medical therapies were included. Sexual function was assessed using the Turkish validated version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Bladder-related symptoms were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI). Outcomes were compared between baseline and the 6-month follow-up.

A total of 22 women were included in the analysis. The mean total FSFI score increased significantly from 16.22 ± 6.75 at baseline to 21.53 ± 7.11 at 6 months (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in desire (p = 0.002), arousal (p = 0.010), lubrication (p = 0.001), orgasm (p < 0.001), satisfaction (p = 0.006), and pain (p = 0.002) after treatment. In parallel, bladder-related symptoms improved significantly, with reductions in VAS, ICSI, and ICPI scores at the 6-month follow-up.

Intravesical chondroitin sulfate instillation was associated with significant improvements in sexual function and bladder-related symptoms in women with IC/BPS. These findings suggest that barrier-restoring intravesical therapy may represent a beneficial treatment option for addressing sexual dysfunction in this population.