PURPOSE - To establish if an improvement in OAB symptoms by treatment with anticholinergics is associated with a corresponding improvement in sexual function.
METHODS - This was a prospective observational questionnaire study using ePAQ-PF (electronic Pelvic Assessment Questionnaire-Pelvic Floor), PISQ 12 and PGI-I for overactive bladder and sexual function. Sexually active women with overactive bladder were included in the study. Prolapse and voiding dysfunction were exclusion criteria for the study. All women were followed up for 6 months and were treatment naïve. Sexual function before and after treatment was compared. The data were analysed using SPSS. Formal ethical approval was obtained.
RESULTS - 34 women were included in the study. Only 8 % of women commenced on anticholinergics had an improvement in sexual function, compared to 66 % who experienced an improvement in OAB symptoms. Women who did experience a benefit in sexual function did so in the first 3 months of treatment of their overactive bladder and always noted an improvement in OAB symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS - Treatment of the overactive bladder symptoms does not guarantee improvement in sexual function.
Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015 Jul 30. [Epub ahead of print]
Jha S1.
Department of Urogynaecology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Level 4, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK