Open AccessWomen with greater pelvic floor muscle strength have better sexual function
Author(s) -
Martinez Caroline S.,
Ferreira Fernanda V.,
Castro Antonio A.M.,
Gomide Liana B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12379
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvic floor muscle , pelvic floor , urogynecology , orgasm , sexual function , palpation , gynecology , physical therapy , sexual dysfunction , urology , surgery , urinary incontinence
Abstract Objective To investigate the relation between pelvic floor muscle strength and sexual function among women with higher and lower pelvic floor muscle strength. Design A cross‐sectional study was performed among employees and students of the University. Setting Urogynecology department, Federal University of Pampa, Brazil, carried out between January and July of 2012. Population Forty women, aged 20–28 years. Methods Forty‐nine women were screened and nine were excluded. Baseline information of the participants was obtained. The Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire was applied and pelvic floor muscle strength was randomly measured by transvaginal palpation according to the Ortiz scale, and by perineometry. Women were allocated into two groups according to muscle strength. Main outcome measures Index of sexual function and pelvic floor muscle strength Results Women with stronger pelvic floor muscles scored higher in the following domains: desire, excitement, orgasm and general score of the questionnaire (4.9 ± 0.73 vs. 3.8 ± 0.58; 5.0 ± 0.35 vs. 4.3 ± 0.82; 5.8 ± 0.21 vs. 4.0 ± 1.00 and 32.4 ± 0.77 vs. 27.6 ± 3.29, p < 0.001). There was a moderate correlation between pelvic floor muscle pressure and both sexual satisfaction ( r = 0.47, p = 0.03) and lubrication ( r = −0.69, p = 0.001) as well as the manual evaluation of pelvic floor muscle strength, graded by the Ortiz and perineometry, which were interrelated ( r = 0.65, p = 0.001). Conclusion Our findings suggest that women with stronger pelvic floor muscles have better sexual function.