Impact of the transobturator tape procedure on sexual function in women with stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

Aim: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a serious problem in women who have delivered vaginally, and causes some sexual dysfunction. The transobturator tape (TOT) procedure is one of the most common methods for the treatment of SUI. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the TOT procedure on sexual function in women.

Material and methods: From June 2008 to March 2011, 117 patients underwent the TOT procedure for SUI in our clinic. Ninety-six sexually active women participated in the study and the mean age was 49.2 (29-61) years. Before and 6 months after surgery, the patients' sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain during sexual intercourse and sexual functions were all evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. The results were compared statistically using the Wilcoxon test.

Results: The cure rate of the TOT procedure for SUI was 87%. Of the 96 women who were sexually active, 35 (36%) experienced urinary loss during sexual activity. Thirty-three (95%) of these patients were cured after surgery completely. Female Sexual Function Index scores for desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and in total increased slightly after surgery but none of these improvements reached a statistically significant level. However, statistically significant improvement was determined for satisfaction and pain after surgery (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: SUI causes some problems affecting quality of life, including sexual dysfunction. After the TOT procedure, significant improvement was determined in sexual function affected by SUI.