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Bladder Pain Syndrome and Sexuality

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Bladder Pain Syndrome

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Abstract

The pain associated with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and comorbid conditions may alter the sexual response, resulting in frequent complaints of decreased arousal, decreased libido, difficulty with orgasm or anorgasmia, and less frequent sexual encounters. Psychological factors, whether primary or secondary, such as fear, anxiety, and depression tend to exacerbate the problem, leaving the patient and his or her partner with decreased sexual interest, feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and increased depression.

Sexual dysfunction in the IC/BPS patient is common, though unfortunately often neglected by clinicians. It has been identified as a predictor of poorer physical and mental quality of life (QOL). Through medical management, communication, self-care techniques, and learned changes in sexual scripts, patients and their partners can learn to improve their sexual relationship and QOL.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, FPMRS, The Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute, Drexel University College of Medicine, 207 N. Broad Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Jennifer Yonaitis Fariello M.S.N., C.R.N.P. & Kristene E. Whitmore M.D.

  2. Urology Division, The Arthur Smith Institute for Urology, North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY, USA

    Robert M. Moldwin M.D.

  3. Urology Department, The Hofstra University School of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY, USA

    Robert M. Moldwin M.D.

Authors
  1. Jennifer Yonaitis Fariello M.S.N., C.R.N.P.
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  2. Kristene E. Whitmore M.D.
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  3. Robert M. Moldwin M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Yonaitis Fariello M.S.N., C.R.N.P. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Copenhagen, Department of Urology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, 2730, Denmark

    Jørgen Nordling

  2. University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Urology, and Antwerp University, Edegem, 2650, Belgium

    Jean Jacques Wyndaele

  3. and Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC,, Departments of Immunology, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 3141 XW, Netherlands

    Joop P. van de Merwe

  4. Koege Hospital, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 4600, Denmark

    Pierre Bouchelouche

  5. Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Urogynecology S.Carlo-IDI, Catholic University, Rome, 00165, Italy

    Mauro Cervigni

  6. Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Urology, Sahlgrens Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, 41345, Sweden

    Magnus Fall

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Fariello, J.Y., Whitmore, K.E., Moldwin, R.M. (2013). Bladder Pain Syndrome and Sexuality. In: Nordling, J., Wyndaele, J., van de Merwe, J., Bouchelouche, P., Cervigni, M., Fall, M. (eds) Bladder Pain Syndrome. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6929-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6929-3_11

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