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Incontinence during intercourse: myths unravelled

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This study aimed to establish the prevalence of urinary leakage during intercourse, the extent to which urinary leakage impacts on sex life and the correlation between different urodynamic diagnosis and coital leakage.

Methods

Four hundred eighty women attending between 1 January 2006 and December 2010 with urinary incontinence and subsequently undergoing urodynamic assessment were included. Data were collected as part of routine clinical care using the electronic Pelvic floor Assessment Questionnaire and correlated with urodynamic findings.

Results

Sixty percent of women with urinary incontinence reported leakage during intercourse. Overall quality of life in women with urinary incontinence was strongly correlated to the impact of urinary symptoms on sex life. Parameters of sexual function were no different in women with different urodynamic diagnosis.

Conclusion

Worsening urinary incontinence has a deleterious effect on sexual function. Urodynamic diagnosis does not correlate with the nature of underlying sexual problems, orgasm or penetration incontinence.

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Correspondence to Swati Jha.

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Jha, S., Strelley, K. & Radley, S. Incontinence during intercourse: myths unravelled. Int Urogynecol J 23, 633–637 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1583-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1583-0

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