Sexual Function in Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Routine Assessment

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), which include pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, are common conditions that often affect sexual health, but remain under-assessed within routine care. The following cases are presented to demonstrate the potential of a brief sexual health questionnaire in pelvic floor clinics and to explore how sexual function varies across common PFD phenotypes. <b>Methods</b>: A pilot case series was conducted with a group of five sexually active women diagnosed with PFDs at the Materno-Infantil University Hospital in Gran Canaria, Spain, between January and December 2025. Patients completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at the index visit. <b>Results</b>: Mean age was 40.6 years (range 35-46), mean parity was 1.6 births and 60% were active smokers. Mean FSFI total score was 26.9 (range 21.4-32.2) and 60% scored below 26.55. Desire and arousal were relatively preserved (means 5.0 and 4.9), whereas lubrication (3.4) and satisfaction (3.9) showed greater variability. Pain scores were low overall (mean 5.2). Self-rated sexual satisfaction was low in 40%, moderate in 40% and high in 20%. Moderate-to-high anticipatory sexual anxiety was present in 80%. <b>Conclusions</b>: Integrating a concise questionnaire based on the FSFI into the pelvic floor consultation appears to be a reasonable approach, with the potential to address secondary sexual dysfunction in patients with PFD, thereby facilitating personalised counselling and treatment.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-03-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062131
Primary Topic
Pelvic floor disorders treatments
Type
article
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article

Sexual Function in Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Routine Assessment

Esther Patricia Escamilla Galindo, Alicia Inmaculada Martin Martínez
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Pelvic floor disorders treatments
article

Sexual Function in Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Routine Assessment

Esther Patricia Escamilla Galindo, Alicia Inmaculada Martin Martínez
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), which include pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, are common conditions that often affect sexual health, but remain under-assessed within routine care. The following cases are presented to demonstrate the potential of a brief sexual health questionnaire in pelvic floor clinics and to explore how sexual function varies across common PFD phenotypes. <b>Methods</b>: A pilot case series was conducted with a group of five sexually active women diagnosed with PFDs at the Materno-Infantil University Hospital in Gran Canaria, Spain, between January and December 2025. Patients completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at the index visit. <b>Results</b>: Mean age was 40.6 years (range 35-46), mean parity was 1.6 births and 60% were active smokers. Mean FSFI total score was 26.9 (range 21.4-32.2) and 60% scored below 26.55. Desire and arousal were relatively preserved (means 5.0 and 4.9), whereas lubrication (3.4) and satisfaction (3.9) showed greater variability. Pain scores were low overall (mean 5.2). Self-rated sexual satisfaction was low in 40%, moderate in 40% and high in 20%. Moderate-to-high anticipatory sexual anxiety was present in 80%. <b>Conclusions</b>: Integrating a concise questionnaire based on the FSFI into the pelvic floor consultation appears to be a reasonable approach, with the potential to address secondary sexual dysfunction in patients with PFD, thereby facilitating personalised counselling and treatment.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(6)
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ES), Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria (ES), Hospital Materno-Infantil (ES)
Good health and well-being, Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 26%
Pelvic floor disorders treatments
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