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Sexual functions and quality of life of women over 50 years with urinary incontinence, lower urinary tract symptoms and/or pelvic organ prolapse

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 32, pages 535–543 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Sexual function is important for health and quality of life. We evaluated effects of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), urinary incontinence (UI) and coital incontinence, and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on sexual functions and quality of life of women over 50 years of age. Secondary objectives were to compare rate of sexual activity, effects of type of UI and coital incontinence on sexual functions and quality of life among age groups. Female-Sexual-Function-Index (FSFI), Pelvic-Organ-Prolapse/Urinary-Incontinence Sexual-Function-Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), and King’s-Health-Questionnaire (KHQ) were used for evaluation. Between 2013 and 2018, 1256 women were included. 565 women were 50–59 years (Group 1), 440 were 60–69 (Group 2), 251 were over 70 (Group-3). 763 women (60.7%) suffered from LUTS, 141 women (11.2%) suffered from POP only, and 352 women (28%) suffered from POP + LUTS. Younger women were more sexually active (p = 0.001). FSFI and PISQ-12 scores of women suffering from LUTS, POP + LUTS, and POP only were similar. Lubrication and orgasm scores were worse in Group 3 (p = 0.006 and 0.037). Type of UI did not affect FSFI and PISQ-12 scores. Coital incontinence was correlated with mixed UI in Groups 1 (p = 0.01) and 2 (p = 0.03). There was no association with coital incontinence and type of UI in Group 3. Coital incontinence had adverse effect in FSFI, PISQ-12 scores. In younger women, coital incontinence had an adverse effect on desire and arousal domains. KHQ scores were worse in women having LUTS in comparison to women suffering from POP only (p = 0.00) and were worse in Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.002 and 0.013). KHQ scores were worse in women suffering from urge or mixed UI (p = 0.00). Coital incontinence had adverse effect in KHQ scores. In conclusion, aging, LUTS, UI, and coital incontinence have detrimental effects on sexual functions and quality of life. Urge or mixed UI have more adverse effects on quality of life. Quality of life is worse in younger women suffering from UI and coital incontinence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Urogynecology, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    Funda Gungor Ugurlucan, Ipek Evruke, Cenk Yasa, Ozlem Dural & Onay Yalcin

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  1. Funda Gungor Ugurlucan
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Correspondence to Funda Gungor Ugurlucan.

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Ugurlucan, F.G., Evruke, I., Yasa, C. et al. Sexual functions and quality of life of women over 50 years with urinary incontinence, lower urinary tract symptoms and/or pelvic organ prolapse. Int J Impot Res 32, 535–543 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0219-7

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