Self-Reported Vaginal Laxity-Prevalence, Impact, and Associated Symptoms in Women Attending a Urogynecology Clinic

Vaginal laxity is increasingly recognized as an important condition, although little is known regarding its prevalence and associated symptoms.

To report the prevalence of self-reported vaginal laxity in women attending a urogynecology clinic and investigate its association with pelvic floor symptoms and female sexual dysfunction.

Data were analyzed from 2,621 women who completed the electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire-Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF).

Response data from ePAQ-PF questionairre.

Vaginal laxity was self-reported by 38% of women and significantly associated with parity, symptoms of prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, reduced vaginal sensation during intercourse, and worse general sex life (P < .0005).

Clinicians should be aware that vaginal laxity is prevalent and has an associated influence and impact on sexual function.

The main strength of this study is the analysis of prospectively collected data from a large cohort of women using a validated questionnaire. The main limitation is lack of objective data to measure pelvic organ prolapse.

Vaginal laxity is a highly prevalent condition that impacts significantly on a woman's sexual health and quality of life. Campbell P, Krychman M, Gray T, et al. Self-reported vaginal laxity-Prevalence, impact, and associated symptoms in women attending a urogynecology clinic. J Sex Med 2018;XX:XXX-XXX.

The journal of sexual medicine. 2018 Oct 13 [Epub ahead of print]

Patrick Campbell, Michael Krychman, Thomas Gray, Holly Vickers, John Money-Taylor, Weiguang Li, Stephen Radley

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, England, UK. Electronic address: ., Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, Newport Beach, CA, USA., Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, England, UK., Sheffield University Medical School, Sheffield, England, UK.