Abstract
Female sexual function is increasingly used as an outcome measure of the success of vaginal surgery.
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Most women without coital incontinence will have no change in sexual function following anti-incontinence surgery, although overall there may be a slight improvement.
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If coital incontinence is cured by surgery, the woman is very likely to report an improvement in sexual function.
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The majority of studies of pelvic organ prolapse repair show no change in subsequent sexual function.
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Worsening of sexual function is most likely to follow posterior repair.
Learning objectives:
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To understand how female sexual function can be assessed.
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To understand how surgery for incontinence and/or prolapse is likely to affect sexual function.
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To be willing and better able to discuss sexual function with women before surgery.
Ethical issue:
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As surgery can adversely affect sexual function, is it unethical to fail to discuss this sensitive area preoperatively?
•
Most women without coital incontinence will have no change in sexual function following anti-incontinence surgery, although overall there may be a slight improvement.
•
If coital incontinence is cured by surgery, the woman is very likely to report an improvement in sexual function.
•
The majority of studies of pelvic organ prolapse repair show no change in subsequent sexual function.
•
Worsening of sexual function is most likely to follow posterior repair.
Learning objectives:
•
To understand how female sexual function can be assessed.
•
To understand how surgery for incontinence and/or prolapse is likely to affect sexual function.
•
To be willing and better able to discuss sexual function with women before surgery.
Ethical issue:
•
As surgery can adversely affect sexual function, is it unethical to fail to discuss this sensitive area preoperatively?
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 193-198 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Obstetrician & Gynaecologist |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2009 |
Keywords
- colporrhapy
- intravaginal sling
- sexual dysfunction
- vaginal hysterectomy