Impact of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator procedure on sexual function in women with stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

Objective To evaluate prospectively the impact of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) procedure on sexual function in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods The present prospective study included women with SUI and no concomitant prolapse who underwent a TVT-O procedure at Fuzhou General Hospital in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. Before and 6 months after surgery, the patients had their sexual function evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Only sexually active women were included in the final analysis. Results Among the 55 sexually active patients, 21.8% had coital incontinence, which was cured in 11 of 12 patients (91.7%). More than half (54.5%) the women reported an improvement in sexual function after surgery and 45.5% reported no change. No statistically significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative total or domain (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) scores on the FSFI. Conclusion The TVT-O procedure in women with SUI did not significantly affect sexual function. Further studies are needed to verify the findings and compare the impact of TVT-O on sexual function with that of other anti-incontinence procedures.