Uterine myomas, dyspareunia, and sexual function

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of deep dyspareunia (DD) and characteristics of sexual life in women with uterine myomas. Cross-sectional survey. University hospital. Three hundred seven sexually active premenopausal women who underwent surgery because of uterine myomas (group M, n = 132), uterine myomas and ovarian cysts (group MC, n = 84), ovarian cysts (group C, n = 67), and tubal sterilization (group S, n = 24). Exclusion criteria were as follows: endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, interstitial cystitis, and preoperative treatment with GnRH analogues. Before surgery, patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound; number and characteristics of myomas were recorded. The presence and intensity of DD were determined. Patients completed a sexual-function questionnaire. Patients included in the four groups had similar DD prevalence and DD intensity. No significant difference was observed in DD prevalence and pain intensity according to the number, position, and size of myomas. Deep dyspareunia intensity was higher in women with fundal and anterior myomas than in those with other myoma positions. No significant difference was observed in sexual function among the four study groups. Women with uterine myomas do not have increased prevalence or severity of DD; their sexual function is not impaired.