Dyspareunia And Lubrication In Premature Ovarian Failure Using Hormonal Therapy And Vaginal Health.

To evaluate vaginal microbiological and functional aspects in women with and without premature ovarian failure (POF) and the relationship with sexual function. A cross-sectional study of 36 women with POF under hormonal therapy who were age-matched with 36 women with normal gonadal function. The vaginal tropism was assessed through hormonal vaginal cytology, vaginal pH and vaginal health index (VHI). Vaginal flora were assessed by the amine test, bacterioscopy and culture for fungi. Sexual function was evaluated through the questionnaire Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Women in both groups were of similar age and showed similar marital status. The two groups presented vaginal tropic scores according to the VHI but the tropism was worse among women in the POF group. No difference was observed with respect to hormonal cytology and pH. Vaginal flora was similar in both groups. Women with POF showed worse sexual performance with more pain and poorer lubrication than women in the control group. The VHI, the only parameter evaluated showing statistical difference between the groups, did not correlate with the domains of pain and lubrication in the FSFI questionnaire. These findings suggest that the use of systemic estrogen among women with POF is not enough to improve complaints of lubrication and pain despite conferring similar tropism and vaginal flora. Other therapeutic options need to be evaluated.

Treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico nas disfunções sexuais femininas

OBJETIVO: avaliar o efeito do treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (TMAP) sobre as disfunções sexuais femininas. MÉTODOS: para esse ensaio clínico com abordagem antes e depois, foram incluídas 26 mulheres que apresentavam diagnóstico de disfunção sexual (transtorno de desejo sexual, de excitação, orgástico e/ou dispareunia). As participantes foram avaliadas antes, na metade (após cinco sessões) e ao final do tratamento (após dez sessões), por meio da palpação vaginal bidigital (avaliação da força dos músculos do assoalho pélvico-MAP), eletromiografia (EMG) intravaginal (captação das amplitudes de contração dos MAP) e Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), questionário de avaliação da função sexual. As mulheres foram submetidas ao TMAP em diferentes posições, por dez sessões (uma ou duas vezes na semana). Para análise estatística, utilizou-se frequências absolutas e relativas para características clínicas e força dos MAP. Empregou-se teste de Friedman para comparação dos escores dos domínios do FSFI e valores da EMG, t de Student para associação entre esses valores e características das mulheres e Wilcoxon para modificação percentual da EMG. O teste Mann-Whitney permitiu comparar esses valores com características clínicas. Para correlacionar os valores da EMG com escore total médio, utilizou-se teste de correlação de Spearman. Adotou-se nível de significância de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: foi observada melhora significativa (p<0,0001) dos escores do FSFI ao final do tratamento quando comparado às avaliações inicial e intermediária. Em relação à EMG, as amplitudes das contrações fásicas e tônicas aumentaram significativamente (p<0,0001) ao longo do tratamento. Houve aumento na força do assoalho pélvico, com 69% das mulheres apresentando grau 4 ou 5 na avaliação final e melhora total das queixas sexuais. CONCLUSÕES: o TMAP resultou na melhora da força muscular e amplitudes de contração pela EMG, com melhora na função sexual, o que indica que essa abordagem terapêutica pode ser utilizada com sucesso no tratamento das disfunções sexuais femininas.

Sexualidade e depressão em gestantes com aborto espontâneo de repetição

OBJETIVO: Comparar os sintomas de depressão e o comportamento sexual de gestantes com histórico de aborto espontâneo de repetição (AER) com gestantes que não vivenciaram AER.MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo caso-controle. O primeiro grupo é formado por mulheres que apresentaram AER e o segundo, por primigestas. Foram utilizados o Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), o Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) e mais um questionário desenvolvido pelos autores sobre aspectos emocionais decorrentes da relação sexual na gravidez. Para comparar as variáveis quantitativas, com distribuição normal, utilizou-se o teste t de Student, e as variáveis categóricas foram comparadas com base no teste do χ2 ou no teste exato de Fisher. A significância estatística foi considerada para valores de p<0,05.RESULTADOS: O BDI indicou frequência aproximadamente duas vezes maior de depressão no Grupo AER (19,9 versus 10,0%, respectivamente). Quanto à função sexual, os escores médios do FSFI foram de 21,1 e 16,4 (p<0,05), respectivamente nos Grupos AER e Controle, embora apenas no âmbito do desejo (média: 3,4±1,3 para o Grupo AER e 3,7±1,1 para o Grupo Controle) não houvesse diferença significante (p=0,1). Observamos que, independentemente de a gestante ter ou não histórico de AER, quanto maior o escore de depressão, menor o escore de sexualidade (r=-0,3).CONCLUSÕES: Gestantes do Grupo AER apresentam depressão com frequência duas vezes mais elevada e função sexual mais comprometida. Há associação inversa entre depressão e função sexual.

L’image corporelle chez les femmes atteintes de vestibulodynie provoquée primaire et secondaire : Une étude contrôlée

Essai doctoral présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l’obtention du grade de Docteur en psychologie (D.Psy.) en psychologie option clinique

To say or not to say : dyadic ambivalence over emotional expression and its associations with pain, sexuality, and distress in couples coping with provoked vestibulodynia.

Introduction Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a highly prevalent and taxing female genital pain condition. Despite the intimate nature of this pain and the fact that affective factors such as anxiety have been shown to modulate its manifestations, no study has yet explored the emotional regulation of couples in which the woman suffers from PVD. Aim Ambivalence over emotional expression (AEE) is an emotional regulation variable that quantifies the extent to which a person is comfortable with the way she or he expresses emotions. We examined whether the dyadic AEE of couples in which the woman suffers from PVD was differentially associated with women's pain and couples' psychological, sexual, and relational functioning. Methods Couples (N = 254), in which the woman suffered from PVD, completed the AEE questionnaire. A couple typology of dyadic AEE was created. Main Outcome Measures Dependent measures for both members of the couple were the global measure of sexual satisfaction scale, the Beck depression inventory II, and the revised dyadic adjustment scale. The female sexual function index and the sexual history form were used to assess the sexual function of women and men, respectively. Women also completed the pain rating index of the McGill pain questionnaire. Results Couples, in which both partners were considered low on AEE, had the highest scores on sexual satisfaction (P = 0.02) and function (P < 0.01), the lowest depression scores (P < 0.01), and the best dyadic adjustment (P = 0.02). No difference in pain intensity was found between couples. Conclusions Findings suggest that, for couples in which the woman suffers from PVD, an emotional regulation that is low in ambivalence in both partners is associated with better psychological, sexual, and relational outcomes. Results indicate that emotional regulation may be important to consider in the assessment and treatment of couples coping with PVD.

A prospective two-year examination of cognitive and behavioral correlates of provoked vestibulodynia outcomes.

Note de l'éditeur : This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the journal. It is not the copy of record. / Cet article ne constitue pas la version officielle, et peut différer de la version publiée dans la revue.

Women with provoked vestibulodynia experience clinically significant reductions in pain regardless of treatment : results from a 2-year follow up study.

Introduction Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a prevalent genital pain syndrome that has been assumed to be chronic, with little spontaneous remission. Despite this assumption, there is a dearth of empirical evidence regarding the progression of PVD in a natural setting. Although many treatments are available, there is no single treatment that has demonstrated efficacy above others. Aims The aims of this secondary analysis of a prospective study were to (i) assess changes over a 2-year period in pain, depressive symptoms, and sexual outcomes in women with PVD; and (ii) examine changes based on treatment(s) type. Methods Participants completed questionnaire packages at Time 1 and a follow-up package 2 years later. Main Outcome Measures Visual analog scale of genital pain, Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, Female Sexual Function Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and sexual intercourse attempts over the past month. Results Two hundred thirty-nine women with PVD completed both time one and two questionnaires. For the sample as a whole, there was significant improvement over 2 years on pain ratings, sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and depressive symptoms. The most commonly received treatments were physical therapy, sex/psychotherapy, and medical treatment, although 41.0% did not undergo any treatment. Women receiving no treatment also improved significantly on pain ratings. No single treatment type predicted better outcome for any variable except depressive symptoms, in which women who underwent surgery were more likely to improve. Discussion These results suggest that PVD may significantly reduce in severity over time. Participants demonstrated clinically significant pain improvement, even when they did not receive treatment. Furthermore, the only single treatment type predicting better outcomes was surgery, and only for depressive symptoms, accounting for only 2.3% of the variance. These data do not demonstrate the superiority of any one treatment and underscore the need to have control groups in PVD treatment trials, otherwise improvements may simply be the result of natural progression.

Do romantic partners' responses to entry dyspareunia affect women's experience of pain? : the roles of catastrophizing and self-efficacy.

Introduction Entry dyspareunia is a sexual health concern which affects about 21% of women in the general population. Characterized by pain provoked during vaginal penetration, introital dyspareunia has been shown by controlled studies to have a negative impact on the psychological well-being, sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of afflicted women. Many cognitive and affective variables may influence the experience of pain and associated psychosexual problems. However, the role of the partner's cognitive responses has been studied very little. Aim The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between partners' catastrophizing and their perceptions of women's self-efficacy at managing pain on one side and women's pain intensity, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction on the other. Methods One hundred seventy-nine heterosexual couples (mean age for women = 31, SD = 10.0; mean age for men = 33, SD = 10.6) in which the woman suffered from entry dyspareunia participated in the study. Both partners completed quantitative measures. Women completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale. Men completed the significant-other versions of these measures. Main Outcome Measures Dependent measures were women's responses to (i) the Pain Numeric Visual Analog Scale; (ii) the Female Sexual Function Index; and (iii) the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction scale. Results Controlled for women's pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy, results indicate that higher levels of partner-perceived self-efficacy and lower levels of partner catastrophizing are associated with decreased pain intensity in women with entry dyspareunia, although only partner catastrophizing contributed unique variance. Partner-perceived self-efficacy and catastrophizing were not significantly associated with sexual function or satisfaction in women. Conclusions The findings suggest that partners' cognitive responses may influence the experience of entry dyspareunia for women, pointing toward the importance of considering the partner when treating this sexual health problem.

Repercussões da vulvectomia e linfadenectomia inguinal na qualidade de vida de mulheres com carcinoma de vulva

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Sexualidade e doenças inflamatórias intestinais

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB

Het Effect van Online Cognitieve Gedragstherapie op Seksuele Disfuncties bij Vrouwen

Het doel van dit onderzoek is na te gaan in welke mate de online cognitieve gedragstherapie bij vrouwen met seksuele disfuncties effectief is voor wat betreft seksueel functioneren, seksuele lijdensdruk en de houding die de vrouwen hebben ten aanzien van seks. Drie vrouwen (gemiddelde leeftijd 39,6 jaar) met minstens één diagnose van een opwindingsgerelateerde seksuele disfunctie (seksuele interesse/opwindingsstoornis, orgasmestoornis) volgens de criteria van de DSM-5, hebben deelgenomen aan het onderzoek. Er wordt gebruik gemaakt van een single case A-B-fase design: zowel in de controlefase (Fase A) wanneer de proefpersoon nog geen internettherapie krijgt, als in de behandelfase (Fase B) worden verschillende metingen verricht. Hierbij wordt het effect van wel of geen internettherapie binnen één persoon onderzocht door de metingen in de controlefase (Fase A) te vergelijken met de metingen in de behandelfase (Fase B). Elke meting betreft een in te vullen zelfrapportage-vragenlijst (24 items) waarin de drie variabelen worden gemeten. Seksueel functioneren werd gemeten met drie items uit de Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) (Rosen et al., 2000; ter Kuile et al., 2009); seksuele lijdensdruk met de Female Sexual Distress Scale Revised (FSDS-R) (Derogatis et al., 2008; ter Kuile et al., 2009); en de attitude ten aanzien van seks met een zestal items van de Sexual Opion Survey (SOS) (Fisher, Byrne, White, & Kelley, 1988). Middels de randomisatietoets is nagegaan wat het therapie-effect per proefpersoon en het algehele therapie-effect is. Uit de resultaten met betrekking tot het therapie-effect per proefpersoon blijkt dat de behandeling enkel voor de eerste proefpersoon een positief effect lijkt te hebben op het seksueel functioneren. Wat betreft de variabele seksuele lijdensdruk lijkt de behandeling enkel voor proefpersoon 2 een positief effect te hebben. Wat betreft de variabele attitude ten aanzien van seks lijkt er voor alle drie de proefpersonen geen effect van de behandeling aanwezig te zijn. Voor proefpersoon 1 lijkt de attitude ten aanzien van seks tijdens de behandelfase juist te verslechteren in plaats van te verbeteren. Uit de resultaten met betrekking tot het algehele therapie-effect is enkel voor de variabele seksueel functioneren een kleine kans aanwezig dat de behandeling een positief effect heeft.

Assessment of the Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women

Objective The aim of this study was to study the effects of Tribulus terrestris on sexual function in menopausal women. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included 60 postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. The women were divided into two groups, placebo group and Tribulus group, and evaluated by using the Sexual Quotient-female version (SQ-F) and Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI) questionnaires. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in age, age at menopause, civil status, race, and religion. In the evaluation with the SQ-F questionnaire, there were significant differences between the placebo (7.6±3.2) and Tribulus (10.2±3.2) groups in the domains of desire and sexual interest (p d" 0.001), foreplay (3.3±1.5 versus 4.2±1.0) (p d" 0.01), arousal and harmonious interaction with the partner (5.7±2.1 versus 7.2±2.6) (p d" 0.01), and comfort in sexual intercourse (6.5±2.4 versus 8.0±1.9) (p d" 0.01). There was no significant difference between the placebo and Tribulus groups in the domains of orgasm and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.28). In the FIEI questionnaire, there was a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the domains of vaginal lubrication during coitus and/or foreplay (20 versus 83.3%), sensation in the genitalia during sexual intercourse or other stimuli (16.7 versus 76.7%), sensation in the genital region (20 versus 70%), sexual intercourse and/or other sexual stimulations (13.3 versus 43.3%), and the ability to reach orgasm (20% versus 73.3%). There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups. Conclusions After 90 days of treatment, at the doses used, we found Tribulus terrestris to be effective in treating sexual problems among menopausal women.

Out of Eastern Africa: defibulation and sexual function in woman with female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the female external genitalia and/or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons.

Alpha1-adrenoceptors are required for normal male sexual function.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists are extensively used in the treatment of hypertension and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Among the side effects, ejaculatory dysfunction occurs more frequently with drugs that are relatively selective for alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors compared with other drugs of this class. This suggests that alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors may contribute to ejaculation. However, this has not been studied at the molecular level. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The physiological contribution of each alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype was characterized using alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype-selective knockout (KO) mice (alpha(1A)-, alpha(1B)- and alpha(1D)-AR KO mice) since the subtype-specific drugs available are only moderately selective. We analysed the role of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the blood pressure and vascular response as well as ejaculation by determining these variables in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype-selective KO mice and in mice with all their alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes deleted (alpha(1)-AR triple-KO mice). KEY RESULTS: The pregnancy rate was reduced by 50% in alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor KO mice, and this reduction was dramatically enhanced in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor triple-KO mice. Contractile tension of the vas deferens in response to noradrenaline was markedly decreased in alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor KO mice, and this contraction was completely abolished in alpha(1)-adrenoceptor triple-KO mice. This attenuation of contractility was also observed in the electrically stimulated vas deferens. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results demonstrate that alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, particularly alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors, are required for normal contractility of the vas deferens and consequent sperm ejaculation as well as having a function in fertility.

Sexual function after suburethral sling removal for dyspareunia

INTRODUCTION: Impact on sexual function has received little attention in the medical literature for a long time. Because of the site of insertion of permanent tension free vaginal tape (TVT) the G spot might be affected or the tape might interfere with arousal and sensory stimulation. Recent studies have reported varying degrees of sexual impairment after TVT insertion ranging from 0% to 15% including dyspareunia. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual function before and after suburethral sling removal due to postoperative female de novo dyspareunia. As a secondary outcome, general patients' satisfaction with their overall continence situation was assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 2005 and December 2007, we included 18 female patients who complained of de novo dyspareunia after suburethral sling insertion for urinary stress incontinence. All patients filled in an FSFI questionnaire prior to sling removal and at 3 months postoperatively. Additionally, all women were asked to estimate their general satisfaction regarding their continence situation using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, with 0 being the least satisfying situation and 10 being the most satisfying situation. All patients underwent gynaecological examination including ICS-pelvic organ prolapse staging (ICS-POP score). RESULTS: Of the 18 slings, ten were transobturator tapes (6 x TVT-O, 2 x Monarch, 2 x unknown) and eight were retropubic tapes (7 x TVT, 1 x SPARC). Desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain improved statistically significant. Orgasm scores were low with median scoring of 1.5 scores before and 1.0 scores after sling removal, and they did not change significantly after sling removal. The satisfaction rate deteriorated from a median of 7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3-7.7) to a median of 4 (95% CI 3.7-5.1; p=0.99) but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual function in patients with de novo dyspareunia is likely to improve after sling removal but not in all domains. Bladder function may deteriorate.