Sexual function among women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to determine whether sexual complaints, such as dyspareunia, are associated with pelvic floor disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: We used data collected for the Maryland Women's Health Study. Among adult women scheduled for hysterectomy, we used multiple logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with 4 sexual complaints: decreased libido, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia.

RESULTS: Among 1299 participants, 495 (38.1%) had evidence of pelvic floor disorders. Sexual complaints were significantly more common among women with pelvic floor disorders (53.2% vs 40.4%, P < .01). In the multiple regression model, urinary incontinence was significantly associated with low libido (odds ratio [OR] 1.96), vaginal dryness (OR 2.11), and dyspareunia (OR 2.04), independent of age, educational attainment, and race. In contrast, pelvic organ prolapse was not associated with any sexual complaint.

CONCLUSION: In a cohort of women planning hysterectomy, women with urinary incontinence were significantly more likely to report sexual complaints.