The aim of the study was to determine the effect of anticholinergics used for overactive bladder treatment on the sexual function of women.
Between January 2016 and August 2018, over 18 years old, 216 sexual active women with OAB and 165 healthy women as control group were prospectively enrolled in the study. Five different anticholinergics were used for the treatment. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), eight-item overactive bladder awareness tool (OAB-V8), and Beck Depression Inventory form were completed before and after 3 months. Baseline and post-treatment scores were compared with a control group of age-matched healthy women.
Patients with OAB reported at baseline significantly worse sexual function in all FSFI domains compared to healthy control group (21.47 ± 3.22 vs. 26.79 ± 5.56, p < 0.01). Three months after treatment, over 85% of participants reported clinically relevant improvements in sexual function, with statistically significant changes in mean FSFI scores.
Treatment of OAB with anticholinergics can improve sexual function of sexual active women with OAB. Patients may be informed about this potential benefit of anticholinergic treatment, to improve their sexual function.
International urology and nephrology. 2018 Nov 17 [Epub ahead of print]
Suleyman Sami Cakir, Recep Burak Degirmentepe, Hasan Anil Atalay, Halil Lutfi Canat, Sait Ozbir, Mehmet Gokhan Culha, Emre Can Polat, Alper Otunctemur
Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, 34384, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey. ., Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, 34384, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey.