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The effect of duloxetine on female sexual functions in the treatment of stress incontinence

  • Urogynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as urinary incontinence that occurs with coughing, sneezing, and physical exercise. It is frequently observed in women after middle age and has a negative impact on their sexual function. Duloxetine as one of the Serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) is commonly used in the non-surgical treatment of SUI. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of duloxetine, which is used in the treatment of SUI, on sexual functions in female patients.

Methods

The study included 40 sexually active patients who received duloxetine 40 mg twice a day for the treatment of SUI. All patients had female sexual function index (FSFI), Beck’s depression inventory (BDI), and incontinence quality of life score (I-QOL) applied before and 2 months after starting duloxetine treatment.

Results

FSFI total score significantly increased from 19.9 to 25.7 (p < 0.001). In addition, significant improvement was observed in all sub-parameters of FSFI, including arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain/discomfort (p < 0.001, for each FSFI subtotal score). BDI significantly decreased from 4.5 to 1.5 (p < 0.001). I-QOL score significantly increased from 57.6 to 92.7 after the duloxetine treatment.

Conclusions

Although SNRIs carry a high risk of sexual dysfunction, duloxetine may have an indirect positive effect on female sexual activity, both through its stress incontinence treatment and its antidepressant effect. In our study, Duloxetine, one of the treatment options for stress urinary incontinence and an SNRI, has a positive effect on stress urinary incontinence, mental health, and sexual activity in patients with SUI.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the Figshare Repository at https://figshare.com/s/78ff8eacd0dc5ac9e713.

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Acknowledgements

The researchers would like to thank those who contributed to the completion of this research. I would like to thank the University of Mersin for giving us this learning opportunity that helped us develop valuable life lessons of patience, perseverance, teamwork, resilience, cooperation, and most of all, the endless pursuit of knowledge. Finally, our thanks go to all the people who have supported us to complete the research work directly or indirectly.

Funding

The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Mersin School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey

    Melih Biyikoglu, Elife Kettas, Mustafa Sesli, Selahittin Cayan & Erdem Akbay

  2. Department of Urology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Samet Senel

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  1. Melih Biyikoglu
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  2. Elife Kettas
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Contributions

MB: project development, manuscript writing/editing. EK: data collection. MS: manuscript writing/editing. SŞ: data analysis. SÇ: manuscript writing/editing. EA: data analysis.

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Correspondence to Melih Biyikoglu.

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Ethical approval

Informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this report, and confidentiality was assured. Approval for this study was obtained from the University of Mersin School of Medicine Clinical Research Ethics Committee with the decision numbered 2023/40 on 18th of January, 2023.

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The data supporting this study's findings are available on request from the corresponding author. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Biyikoglu, M., Kettas, E., Sesli, M. et al. The effect of duloxetine on female sexual functions in the treatment of stress incontinence. Arch Gynecol Obstet 308, 1037–1042 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-07123-4

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