Facts, Views & Vision
in ObGyn

Journal of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

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Sexual function after surgically corrected menstrual outflow obstruction due to congenital anomalies

L. Martens1, M.A. Spath1, M.A. van Beek1,2, W.N.P. Willemsen1, K.B. Kluivers1

1 Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2 Present work address: Care group Solis, Deventer, The Netherlands

Keywords:

Congenital anomaly, menstrual obstruction, Müllerian anomaly, reconstructive surgery, sexual function, questionnaire


Published online: Dec 18 2024

https://doi.org/10.52054/FVVO.16.4.049

Abstract

Objectives: To enhance evidence-based knowledge about sexual function and the prevalence of sexual dysfunction after surgical therapy for congenital anomalies with menstrual outflow obstruction.

Materials and Methods: In this long-term case-control study, all patients underwent surgical correction of an obstructive Müllerian anomaly between 1980 and 2013. At the start of the case-control study, patients were at least 18 years old and were two years post their initial operation. The control group were women without current gynaecological problems. 38 patients (response rate 48.7%) and 54 controls were included. Chi-square test linear-by-linear Association, Fisher’s Exact Test, Mann-Whitney U test and the unpaired sample t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Main outcome measures: The following questionnaires were used: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire (BESAQ), and the Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire (EHP-30).

Results: The mean FSFI score in patients was 27.8 (SD5.4) versus 27.4 (SD6.8) in controls (p=0.858). A total FSFI score ≥26.55, indicating no sexual dysfunction was present in 70.6% of patients and 69.2% of controls (p=1.000). The mean BESAQ score in patients was 30.4 (18.5), compared to 38.3 (SD21.4) in controls (p=0.261), where lower scores denote better body image during intimate sessions. In the EHP-30, a statistically significant difference between patients and controls was found in all items on sexual intercourse. The subscale score of patients was 31.1 (SD26.2) versus 7.0 (SD11.1) in controls (p=<0.001), indicating better sexual functioning in controls.

What is new? The study showed that a history of menstrual outflow obstruction had a negative influence on several domains of sexual function, yet the patients total scores on sexual function remained in the normal range. The FSFI score of patients’ post-surgical treatment of obstructive congenital anomalies is similar to the control group.