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Effect of anterior repair on sexual function in heterosexual couples

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Little is known about the impact of native tissue repair techniques on heterosexual intercourse. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of anterior colporrhaphy on women’s and their partners’ sexual function.

Methods

Sexually active women with a male partner who were diagnosed with anterior wall prolapse without any incontinence were prospectively recruited from a single academic center. Demographic data were collected and a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification examination was performed. Before and 3 months post-operatively, women completed two validated questionnaires to assess sexual function, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Vaginal Symptoms short form (ICIQ-VS SF) 55, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and their male partners completed the International Index of Erectile function-5. Pre- and post-operative results were compared using a paired t test.

Results

This study was conducted in the gynecology department of a university hospital between May 2022 and June 2023, where 50 heterosexual couples were enrolled and underwent isolated anterior repair. The mean age of women and their partners were 44.3 ± 5.12 and 48.1 ± 5.81 respectively. Overall, female sexual function improved significantly from pre- to 3 months postoperatively with a decrease in ICIQ-VS SF scores from 13.3 ± 3.27 to 1.7 ± 1.1 (p < 0.05) and an increase in FSFI scores from 21.74 ± 9.37 to 29.28 ± 9.97 (p < 0.05). The only domain that did not improve was sexual pain. For their male partners, there was a similar significant improvement in sexual function with an increase in scores from 48.71 ± 8.71 to 60.68 ± 8.63 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Isolated anterior repair was associated with improved short-term sexual function amongst heterosexual couples.

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Data Availability

Data is available upon inquiry to the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meram Medicine Faculty, Necmettin Erbakan University, 42080, Meram, Konya, Turkey

    Hasan Energin & Jule Eric Horasanli

Authors
  1. Hasan Energin
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  2. Jule Eric Horasanli
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Contributions

H.E. and J.E.H. designed the study and performed the surgeries. J.E.H. collected and analyzed the data, and H.E. wrote the manuscript. Both authors contributed to editorial changes in the manuscript. Both authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hasan Energin.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

The present study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Board of Necmettin Erbakan University. Written consent was obtained from all participants.

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Energin, H., Eric Horasanli, J. Effect of anterior repair on sexual function in heterosexual couples. Int Urogynecol J 34, 2833–2838 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05652-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05652-9

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