The effect of myoma uteri and myomectomy on sexual function.

INTRODUCTION: This is a report about the effects of myoma uteri and myomectomy on sexual function in women. AIM: The aim of this article was to determine the effects of myoma uteri and myomectomy on sexual function in women. METHOD: The study was designed as a controlled clinical study in an academic clinical research center. The study patients consisted of 80 women with myoma uteri and 75 control women. Baseline characteristics and properties of the myomas were recorded. A validated questionnaire was used to determine pre- and postoperative sexual function in the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Female sexual function index (FSFI) scores of the women were recorded before and after surgery. RESULTS: Women with myoma uteri had lower FSFI pain and satisfaction scores than women without it, even after correction for possible confounders. Fundal and posterior myomas were associated with pain, whereas only posterior myomas were related to the overall FSFI scores. However, although there was no relation between the volume of the myomas and the FSFI scores, women with a uterine volume over 200 cm(3) had significantly lower mean FSFI satisfaction, pain, and total scores. The mean FSFI pain and total scores of the patients improved significantly after undergoing a myomectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that a potential impairment of sexual function exists in women with myomas. This is mainly because of pain during sexual intercourse, although it does not seem to have an effect on either the arousal or orgasmic phases. Furthermore, the performance of a myomectomy may alleviate pain during intercourse, and thereby improve sexual function in the patients.