Assessment of the clinical outcomes and complications of hysteroscopic and laparoscopic approaches in the treatment of symptomatic isthmocele: An observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic or hysteroscopic approaches for isthmoplasty. METHODS: A total of 99 isthmocele patients with an average age of 38.45 ± 4.72 years were included in the 2 years of this retrospective cohort study. Forty-five underwent laparoscopic and 54 underwent hysteroscopic isthmocele excision and myometrial repair. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly higher in the hysteroscopy group before the procedure, but there were no significant pain score differences after the surgery. In 1 year of follow up, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were higher among hysteroscopy patients. Furthermore, hysteroscopy significantly improved postmenstrual spotting after surgery better than laparoscopy, but in the follow up, there was no significant difference between the two groups in this regard (mean rank for hysteroscopy vs. laparoscopy: 32.30 vs. 37.48, U = 418, P = 0.29). CONCLUSION: In patients with a history of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, lower gravidity, lower parity, and a lower number of cesarean sections, laparoscopic isthmoplasty is preferred over the hysteroscopic approach. Both methods have similar effects on midcycle vaginal bleeding, duration of postmenstrual spotting, and pain. However, a higher rate of dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea could be associated with hysteroscopy.

The effect of endometriosis on sexual function as assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To systematically compare sexual function between non-treated women with and without endometriosis. METHODS: A systematic review was performed on PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases searching studies that analyzed sexual function (assessed with the 19-item Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), and dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea (assessed with a visual analogue scale [VAS]) in women with and with endometriosis. RESULTS: In 4 studies, non-treated women with endometriosis presented a higher risk of female sexual dysfunction (mean total FSFI score ≤ 26.55; OR = 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12, 5.04). Although mean total FSFI scores were not significantly different between women with and without endometriosis (mean difference [MD] = -2.15; 95% CI -4.96, 0.67); all FSFI domain scores were significantly lower in women with endometriosis (n = 4 studies): desire (MD = -0.43; 95% CI -0.57, -0.19); arousal (MD = -0.66; 95% CI -1.15, -0.17); lubrication (MD = -0.41; 95% CI -0.79, -0.02); orgasm (MD = -0.40; 95% CI -0.73, -0.06); satisfaction (MD = -0.45; 95% CI -0.72, -0.18); and pain (MD = -1.03; 95% CI -1.34, -0.72). Women with endometriosis displayed differences (more severity) in terms of VAS scores (2 studies) for dyspareunia (MD = 1.88; 95% CI 0.38, 3.37) and chronic pelvic pain (MD = 2.92; 95% CI 1.26, 4.58); but not for dysmenorrhea. CONCLUSION: Non-treated women with endometriosis displayed altered sexual function as evidenced by lower scores in all FSFI domains, and severity of dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain.

A Longitudinal Assessment of Associations Between Women's Tendency to Pretend Orgasm, Orgasm Function, and Intercourse-Related Pain in Different Partner Relationship Constellations.

The aim of the present study was to investigate how women's tendency to pretend orgasm during intercourse is associated with orgasm function and intercourse-related pain, using a longitudinal design where temporal stability and possible causal relationships could be modeled. The study sample consisted of 1421 Finnish women who had participated in large-scale population-based data collections conducted at two time points 7 years apart. Pretending orgasm was assessed for the past 4 weeks, and orgasm function and pain were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index for the past 4 weeks. Associations were also computed separately in three groups of women based on relationship status. Pretending orgasm was considerably variable over time, with 34% of the women having pretended orgasm a few times or more at least at one time point, and 11% having done so at both time points. Initial bivariate correlations revealed associations between pretending orgasm and orgasm problems within and across time, whereas associations with pain were more ambiguous. However, we found no support in the path model for the leading hypotheses that pretending orgasms would predict pain or orgasm problems over a long period of time, or that pain or orgasm problems would predict pretending orgasm. The strongest predictor of future pretending in our model was previous pretending (R 2 = .14). Relationship status did not seem to affect pretending orgasm in any major way.

Vaginismus in Assisted Reproductive Technology Centers: an invisible population in need of care.

OBJECTIVE: Genital and sexual pain is still neglected. Consequences may be dramatic, since infertility and sexual dysfunction may be reciprocally linked. This is the first study to focus on the identification of cases of vaginismus in the ART scenario and on the introduction of intra-cycle interventions as part of a comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered perspective. METHODS: This observational prospective study looked into 425 IVF/ICSI cycles and 226 frozen embryo transfers carried out from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016, and found seven cases of vaginismus. Within a six-month period, a questionnaire placed on SurveyMonkey was sent twice to 228 ART centers in Latin America. The purpose was to learn how often cases of vaginismus were found in ART centers and the perceptions around the presence of this condition. RESULTS: The few centers that took the time to answer the questionnaire (24/10.5%) stated that the number of cases in which they had trouble performing control ultrasound examination or needed to perform transfers with patients under sedation was not significant. Although 81% agreed that the incidence of these conditions is low, no references were made to cases of vaginismus, dyspareunia or sexual dysfunction. Our multidisciplinary team found seven cases of vaginismus, involving women with higher education degrees with a mean age of 37.8 years and married for a mean of four years. Although two reported they were able to tolerate intercourse, all reported undergoing treatments such as using vaginal dilators (3), psychotherapy (4) and psychiatric care (1). The care provided by the staff was designed to mitigate patient suffering. CONCLUSION: Gentle care and sensitive listening should be integral components in the work of multidisciplinary teams to identify women with vaginismus and offer couples better quality treatment.

HALON-hysterectomy by transabdominal laparoscopy or natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: a randomised controlled trial (study protocol).

INTRODUCTION: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) uses natural body orifices to access the cavities of the human body to perform surgery. NOTES limits the magnitude of surgical trauma and has the potential to reduce postoperative pain. This is the first randomised study in women bound to undergo hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease comparing NOTES with classical laparoscopy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: All women aged 18-70 years, regardless of parity, consulting at our practice with an indication for hysterectomy due to benign gynaecological disease will be eligible. After stratification according to uterine size on clinical examination, participants will be randomised to be treated by laparoscopy or by transvaginal NOTES. Participants will be evaluated on day 0, days 1-7 and at 3 and 6 months. The following data will be collected: the proportion of women successfully treated by removing the uterus by the intended approach as randomised; the proportion of women admitted to the inpatient hospital; postoperative pain scores measured twice daily by the women from day 1 to 7; the total amount of analgesics used from day 1 to 7; readmission during the first 6 weeks; presence and intensity of dyspareunia and sexual well-being at baseline, 3 and 6 months (Short Sexual Functioning Scale (SSFS) scale); duration of surgery; postoperative infection or other surgical complications; direct and indirect costs incurred up to 6 weeks following surgery. The primary outcome will be the proportion of women successfully treated by the intended technique; all other outcomes are secondary. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved on 1 December 2015 by the Ethics Committee of the Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium. The first patient was randomised on 17 December 2015. The last participant randomised should be treated before 30 November 2017. The results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings within 4 years after starting recruitment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02631837; Pre-results.

Dyspareunia and its comorbidities among Taiwanese women: analysis of the 2004-2010 Nationwide Health Insurance Database.

INTRODUCTION: Most of the existing studies on dyspareunia only focus on qualitative observations. These measurement tools may not reflect the actual situation of dyspareunia in Taiwan. AIM: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of dyspareunia in Taiwan and investigate dyspareunia-associated comorbidities using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). METHODS: This study is a population-based retrospective cohort investigation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We analyzed the 2004-2010 claims data on dyspareunia from the NHIRD. Dyspareunia was identified by outpatient visits using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (diagnosis code 6250). Patients who visited as outpatients with dyspareunia after the index date were considered to have comorbidities associated with dyspareunia medical conditions. The index events included vaginal disorders, vulvar disorders, uterine and ovarian factors, female genital organ and menstrual cycle disorders, menopause, and relative abdominopelvic organ disorders. The incidence of dyspareunia among different age groups was determined. The location and areas significantly related to the physical gynecology or relative pelvic organ causing the disease were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 978 females of different ages had experienced dyspareunia. The incidence of dyspareunia was higher among individuals aged 30-34 years. The findings of this study indicated that dyspareunia was comorbid with menopause, pelvic floor dysfunction, and most gynecological infections. In particular, the more common physical causes of dyspareunia were introitus and vaginal infections (19.95%), menopause (16.80%), female genital organ and menstrual cycle disorders (15.22%), and female pelvic organ infections (13.65%). CONCLUSIONS: This study posits that women of all ages (20-70 years) experience painful sexual intercourse. This large-scale nationwide claims-based study showed that menopause and pelvic infection disorder were dyspareunia-related comorbidities. Moreover, gynecological infections and pelvic floor dysfunctions were associated with dyspareunia.

Systematic review of endometriosis pain assessment: how to choose a scale?

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies concerning endometriosis and pain have been reported. However, there is no consensus on the best method to evaluate pain in endometriosis and many scales have been used. Moreover, there are only a few descriptions of minimal clinically important differences after treatment (MCID) to evaluate variations in pain. In our study, we aim to identify pain scales used in endometriosis pain treatment, to address their strong and weak points and to define which would be the ideal scale to help clinicians and researchers to evaluate endometriosis-related pain. METHODS: A search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was carried out for publications in English, French or Portuguese from 1980 to December 2012, for the words: endometriosis, treatment, pain. Studies were selected if they studied an endometriosis treatment and a pain scale was specified. A quantitative and a qualitative analysis of each scale was performed to define strong and weak points of each scale (systematic registration number: CRD42013005336). RESULTS: A total of 736 publications were identified. After excluding duplications and applying inclusion criteria 258 studies remained. We found that the visual analog scale (VAS) is the most frequently used scale. Both VAS and the numerical rating scale (NRS) show a good balance between strong and weak points in comparison with others such as the Biberoglu and Behrman scale. Concerning MCID, only VAS, NRS and Brief Pain Inventory scales have reported MCID and, among these, only VAS MCID has been studied in endometriosis patients (VAS MCID = 10 mm). Adding the Clinical Global Impression score (CGI) to the pain scale allows calculation of the MCID. CONCLUSIONS: When using pain scales their strengths and weaknesses must be known and included in the analysis. VAS is the most frequently used pain scale and, together with NRS, seems the best adapted for endometriosis pain measurement. The use of VAS or NRS for each type of typical pain related to endometriosis (dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia and non-menstrual chronic pelvic pain), combined with the CGI and a quality-of-life scale will provide both clinicians and researchers with tools to evaluate treatment response.

Attributes and barriers to care of pelvic pain in university women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe rates of pelvic pain in university women ages 18 and older and to explore the barriers to adequate health care for pelvic pain in this population. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. PATIENTS: A total of 2000 female students at the University of Florida were randomly selected for participation. INTERVENTIONS: The 2000 sample members were sent a questionnaire to be completed online. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The online questionnaire was hosted through the REDCap electronic data capture tool hosted at the University of Florida. This questionnaire included demographic items, general health and health behavior questions, measures to assess different types of pelvic pain (e.g., dysmenorrheal; dyspareunia; urinary, bowel, and vulvar pain), items regarding barriers to care for pelvic pain problems, and quality of life measures. Data were exported to SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) for analysis. Of the 2000 subjects who received the questionnaire invitation, 390 filled out the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 19.5%. Respondents' ages ranged from 18 to 62 with a mean of 23 years. A total of 72.8% of respondents reported experiencing pelvic pain over the past 12 months. Dysmenorrhea was reported by nearly 80% of participants, over one third of participants noted deep dyspareunia, and a significant proportion of participants reported symptoms related to bowel movements. Vulvar symptoms, including superficial dyspareunia, were reported by 21.5% of participants. Most participants with pelvic pain (78.8%) have not received any diagnosis for their pain, whereas 73.6% reported not yet having visited a doctor. Significant barriers to receiving adequate medical care were reported, including difficulty with insurance coverage and physicians' lack of time and knowledge or interest in chronic pelvic pain conditions. CONCLUSION: Pelvic pain in younger women is a critical public health issue experienced by a significant portion of the population. Significant awareness deficits and barriers to care exist. Careful study of the barriers to receiving adequate medical care reported by these women will allow researchers to describe how best to improve care for these syndromes.

Prevalence, symptoms and management of uterine fibroids: an international internet-based survey of 21,746 women.

BACKGROUND: In 2009 the Uterine Bleeding and Pain Women's Research Study (UBP-WRS) was conducted interviewing 21,479 women across 8 countries in order to gain patient-based prevalence data on uterine pain and bleeding indications and investigate uterine symptoms and women's treatment experiences. This article shows relevant results of the study for the indication uterine fibroids providing data on self-reported prevalence, symptomatology and management of uterine fibroids. METHODS: 2,500 women (USA: 4,500 women) in each country (Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, the UK, the USA) completed an online survey. Women included were in their reproductive age (age group 15-49 years; USA: 18-49 years) and had ever experienced menstrual bleedings. Quotas were applied for age, region, level of education and household income of respondents. Variables have been analyzed descriptively and exploratory statistical tests have been performed. RESULTS: The self-reported prevalence of uterine fibroids ranged from 4.5% (UK) to 9.8% (Italy), reaching 9.4% (UK) to 17.8% (Italy) in the age group of 40-49 years. Women with a diagnosis of uterine fibroids reported significantly more often about bleeding symptoms than women without a diagnosis: heavy bleedings (59.8% vs. 37.4%), prolonged bleedings (37.3% vs. 15.6%), bleeding between periods (33.3% vs. 13.5%), frequent periods (28.4% vs. 15.2%), irregular and predictable periods (36.3% vs. 23.9%). Furthermore women with diagnosed uterine fibroids reported significantly more often about the following pain symptoms: pressure on the bladder (32.6% vs. 15.0%), chronic pelvic pain (14.5% vs. 2.9%), painful sexual intercourse (23.5% vs. 9.1%) and pain occurring mid-cycle, after and during menstrual bleeding (31.3%, 16.7%, 59.7%, vs. 17.1%, 6.4%, 52.0%). 53.7% of women reported that their symptoms had a negative impact on their life in the last 12 month, influencing their sexual life (42.9%), performance at work (27.7%) and relationship & family (27.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Uterine fibroid is a common concern in women at fertile age causing multiple bleeding and pain symptoms which can have a negative impact on different aspects in women's life.

Incidence and management of graft erosion, wound granulation, and dyspareunia following vaginal prolapse repair with graft materials: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study describes the incidence, risk factors, and treatments of graft erosion, wound granulation, and dyspareunia as adverse events following vaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse with non-absorbable synthetic and biologic graft materials. METHODS: A systematic review in Medline of reports published between 1950 and November 2010 on adverse events after vaginal prolapse repairs using graft materials was carried out. RESULTS: One hundred ten studies reported on erosions with an overall rate, by meta-analysis, of 10.3%, (95% CI, 9.7 - 10.9%; range, 0 - 29.7%; synthetic, 10.3%; biological, 10.1%). Sixteen studies reported on wound granulation for a rate of 7.8%, (95% CI, 6.4 - 9.5%; range, 0 - 19.1%; synthetic, 6.8%; biological, 9.1%). Dyspareunia was described in 70 studies for a rate of 9.1%, (95% CI, 8.2 - 10.0%; range, 0 - 66.7%; synthetic, 8.9%; biological, 9.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Erosions, wound granulation, and dyspareunia may occur after vaginal prolapse repair with graft materials, though rates vary widely across studies.

Menopause status and attitudes in a Turkish midlife female population: an epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: It is a well accepted status that socio-cultural characteristics may affect the onset of menopause and its characteristics. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence rates of menopausal symptoms and these symptoms related factors, and to assess the women's attitudes towards some climacteric issues. METHODS: This survey was conducted between Jan., 1st 2008 and March, 31st 2008 to research the menopause status of the female population in a city of western Turkey. The study group consisted of 1551 women selected with a multistage area sampling method: a random sample of individuals aged 40-65 years. The questionnaire included questions pertaining to women's sociodemographic characteristics, women's menopausal status, some statements about the climacteric, use of hormones at menopause or before menopause, and some climacteric myths. The data was analyzed by Chi-square (x2) analysis and percent (%) ratios with a significant value of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 49.1 years. Over 90% of the women were of the negative opinion that the climacteric is "the end of youth", "the end of fecundity", and "the end of unclean days". Most women said that cessation of menstrual periods was the most positive thing because they do not have to wait for monthly bleedings, use sanitary equipment, or take birth control methods. There were significant connections between age groups and nearly all the items, with the exception of the items "the end of life" and "the end of fecundity". Among the women, hot flushes were the most common complaint occurring in 96.5% of women: being severe in 32.9%, moderate in 43.1% and mild in 20.4%. This was followed by low backache or muscle pain 95.0% (25.9% severe, 46.0% moderate and mild 23.1%), headache 91.7% (21.9% severe, 34.9% moderate and 34.9% mild) and feeling tired 91.0% (15.3% severe, 38.6% moderate and 37.1% mild). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the women in this study had mixed ideas of opinions concerning the climacteric, and the majority was also suffering from climacteric complaints. This data could assist healthcare providers in the provision of culturally competent health care to midlife Turkish women.

[Women's dyspareunia after childbirth: a case study in a hospital in Acapulco, Mexico]. / Dispareunia en mujeres después del parto: estudio de casos y controles en un hospital de Acapulco, México.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with dyspareunia, during the 60-180 days following childbirth, in women with a history of one or two childbirths. METHODS: A case study of 304 women, matched by age and parity who visited family planning services in a hospital in Acapulco, State of Guerrero, Mexico, 60-180 days after giving birth. A questionnaire was administered to assess socioeconomic status (age, level of education, partner's level of education, marital status, employment, social security, and homeownership), obstetric history (type of birth, parity, location of the birth, tearing, episiotomy, and complications), and gynecological status (constricted introitus, scar tissue at the episiotomy site, symptoms of vaginitis, vaginal dryness, contraceptive use, and breast feeding duration). Cases were defined as those women who related pain, burning, or bleeding following vaginal intercourse after childbirth. An unconditional logistic regression model was applied and odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 368 women who had reinitiated sexual relations, 152 (41.3%) mentioned dyspareunia. The factors associated with dyspareunia were: an infection with or without episiorrhaphy dehiscence (OR=34.09; CI95%: 10.59-109.78); symptoms of vaginitis (OR=7.43; CI95%: 3.68-14.99); tightness in the introitus of the vagina (OR=6.38; CI95%: 2.92-13.94), and breast feeding exclusively (OR=4.86; CI95%: 2.44- 9.69). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia was related to complications with episiotomy and its possible sequelae, such as infection, episiorrhaphy dehiscence, and constricted introitus. More attention should be given to the episiotomy site during the postpartum period and greater selectivity is needed when deciding which women require an episiotomy.

Dispareunia en mujeres después del parto: estudio de casos y controles en un hospital de Acapulco, México / Women's dyspareunia after childbirth: a case study in a hospital in Acapulco, Mexico

OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores asociados con la dispareunia entre 60 y 180 días después del parto en mujeres con antecedentes de uno o dos partos. MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos y controles, pareados por la edad y la paridad en 304 mujeres que acudieron al servicio de planificación familiar de un hospital de Acapulco, Guerrero, México, entre los 60 y 180 días después del parto. Se aplicó un cuestionario con preguntas sobre su situación socioeconómica (edad, escolaridad propia y de su pareja, estado civil, situación laboral, de seguridad social y de tenencia de su casa) y sus antecedentes obstétricos (características del parto, paridad, lugar de atención, desgarros, episiotomía y complicaciones) y ginecológicos (sensación de estrechez del introito, presencia de cicatriz queloide de la episiorrafia, síntomas de vaginitis, resequedad vaginal, métodos anticonceptivos empleados y tipo y duración de la lactancia). Se consideraron como casos a las mujeres que refirieron dolor, ardor o sangrado al tener relaciones sexuales con penetración vaginal después del parto. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística no condicionada y se calcularon las razones de posibilidades (odds ratios, OR) y los intervalos de confianza de 95 por ciento (IC95 por ciento). RESULTADOS: De 368 mujeres que habían reiniciado relaciones sexuales, 152 (41,3 por ciento) refirieron dispareunia. Los factores asociados con dispareunia fueron haber tenido infección con o sin dehiscencia de la episiorrafia (OR = 34,09; IC95 por ciento: 10,59 a 109,78), presentar síntomas de vaginitis (OR = 7,43; IC95 por ciento: 3,68 a 14,99), tener sensación de estrechez del introito vaginal (OR = 6,38; IC95 por ciento: 2,92 a 13,94) y practicar la lactancia exclusiva (OR = 4,86; IC95 por ciento: 2,44 a 9,69). CONCLUSIONES: La dispareunia estuvo relacionada con las complicaciones de la episiotomía y sus posibles secuelas, como la infección, la dehiscencia de la episiorrafia y la estrechez del introito vaginal. Se debe realizar una mejor vigilancia de la episiorrafia durante el puerperio y seleccionar más apropiadamente las mujeres a quienes se les realiza la episiotomía.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with dyspareunia, during the 60-180 days following childbirth, in women with a history of one or two childbirths. METHODS: A case study of 304 women, matched by age and parity who visited family planning services in a hospital in Acapulco, State of Guerrero, Mexico, 60-180 days after giving birth. A questionnaire was administered to assess socioeconomic status (age, level of education, partner’s level of education, marital status, employment, social security, and homeownership), obstetric history (type of birth, parity, location of the birth, tearing, episiotomy, and complications), and gynecological status (constricted introitus, scar tissue at the episiotomy site, symptoms of vaginitis, vaginal dryness, contraceptive use, and breast feeding duration). Cases were defined as those women who related pain, burning, or bleeding following vaginal intercourse after childbirth. An unconditional logistic regression model was applied and odd ratios (OR) and 95 percent confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 368 women who had reinitiated sexual relations, 152 (41.3 percent) mentioned dyspareunia. The factors associated with dyspareunia were: an infection with or without episiorrhaphy dehiscence (OR = 34.09; CI95 percent: 10.59-109.78); symptoms of vaginitis (OR = 7.43; CI95 percent: 3.68-14.99); tightness in the introitus of the vagina (OR = 6.38; CI95 percent: 2.92-13.94), and breast feeding exclusively (OR = 4.86; CI95 percent: 2.44- 9.69). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia was related to complications with episiotomy and its possible sequelae, such as infection, episiorrhaphy dehiscence, and constricted introitus. More attention should be given to the episiotomy site during the postpartum period and greater selectivity is needed when deciding which women require an episiotomy.

[Assessment of painful sexual intercourse occurrence among women in gynaecological practice]. / Ocena wystepowania bolesnego wspólzycia u kobiet w praktyce ginekologicznej.

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of painful sexual intercourse occurrence among women who are patients of a gynaecological practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 104 women have been examined by means of self-constructed questionnaire consisting of parts A and B. All interviewees had had sexual intercourses. Part A of the questionnaire included questions concerning painful sexual intercourse and was completed by the interviewees, whereas part B included questions concerning the presence of symptoms of vulvar vestibulitis and was completed by the gynaecologist after the examination. Statistical analysis was performed by means of chi-quadrat test. RESULTS: Out of 104 examined women, 20 patients (19.2%) complained of painful intercourse occurrence. CONCLUSION: 1. Women at all ages experience painful intercourse, although there are different reasons for its occurrence. 2. Women may experience pain connected with sexual intercourse although they never experienced intercourse with vaginal penetration. 3. In case of 1/4 of women, coital pain occurs at the attempt of intercourse or "at the very thought of it". 4. Pain during sexual intercourse occurs in case of almost 50% of post menopausal women, experiencing vaginal dryness. 5. Since 30% women with visible features of vulvar vestibulitis, detected during gynaecological examination, experience painful sexual intercourse, gynaecological examination should constitute a constant element of diagnosis of painful sexual intercourse among women.

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and potential risk factors that may impair sexual function in Malaysian women.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that does not spare the women in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society. AIM: To investigate the prevalence of FSD and the potential risk factors that may impair sexual function among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The prevalence, the risk factors, and the main predictors for FSD were measured among these women. METHODS: A validated Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index was used to assess FSD. A total of 230 married women aged 18-70 years participated in this study. The sociodemographic and marital profiles of women who had FSD and those who did not were compared; the risk factors for FSD were determined. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were younger than 50 years old, predominantly Malays, and had a higher academic achievement. The prevalence of FSD in the primary care population was 29.6%. The prevalence of women with lack of orgasms, low sexual arousal, lack of lubrication, sexual dissatisfaction, and sexual pain were 59.1%, 60.9%, 50.4%, 52.2%, and 67.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for FSD are older age, Malays, married longer (more than 14 years), having less sexual intercourse (less than 1-2 times a week), having more children, married to an older husband (aged >42 years), and having a higher academic status. Lack of lubrication is found to be the main predictor for FSD in this study. Is lack of lubrication a cause or a complication of FSD? Prospective research is needed in the near future.

Validation of a questionnaire for self-assessment of sexual function and vaginal changes after gynaecological cancer.

The Sexual function-Vaginal changes Questionnaire (SVQ), was developed to investigate sexual and vaginal problems in gynaecological cancer patients. The instrument consists of 20 core items, measuring sexual interest, lubrication, orgasm, dyspareunia, vaginal dimensions, intimacy, sexual problems of partner, sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, and body image. Seven additional items assessing current levels of sexual and vaginal problems compared to pre-diagnosis are intended to be used only once in longitudinal studies. The SVQ was validated in two ways: first, the comprehensibility of each item was investigated through combined quantitative and qualitative assessment of patient-observer agreement in 75 gynaecological cancer patients, second, multitrait analyses and principal component analyses were applied to responses from 257 patients with cervical cancer to investigate the scale properties. The level of agreement between the patients' and the observer's ratings was high (median overall agreement 0.84, range 0.46-1.00; median kappa: 0.80, range 0.52-1.00). From the 10 items applicable to all patients, three scales were hypothesized: intimacy, sexual interest and global sexual satisfaction. For sexually active respondents an additional two scales were hypothesized: vaginal changes and sexual functioning. The psychometric analyses confirmed these scales. The internal consistency of the scales ranged 0.76-0.83 (Cronbach's alpha). The study supports the validity and reliability of the SVQ.

The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in a clinical population of reproductive-age women. METHODS: A ten-page questionnaire was administered to a consecutive sample of women age 18-45 years who were approached in the waiting areas of two obstetrics and gynecology practices and three family medicine practices in central North Carolina. Of 701 women approached to fill out the questionnaire, 581 (83%) returned completed forms suitable for analysis. RESULTS: The reported prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome was 90, 46, 39, and 12%, respectively. Low income was found to be a risk factor for dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, and African-American race was found to be a risk factor for pelvic pain. Pelvic pain was also more common among women 26-30 years old. Otherwise, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome were not associated with age, parity, marital status, race, income, or education. CONCLUSION: Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome are common complaints among women of reproductive age and are not consistently associated with demographic risk factors. Therefore, inquiry about these pelvic pain complaints should be a routine part of health care for women.

Climacteric and menopause in seven South-east Asian countries.

The menopause is universal, but what about the climacteric? In an attempt to answer this question, a study was conducted in seven south-east Asian countries, namely, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Samples of approximately 400 women in each country were questioned about a number of climacteric complaints, incontinence and dyspareunia, consultation of a physician, menopausal status and several background characteristics. Special care was taken to overcome linguistic and cultural problems, and the data collected were kept as objective as possible. From the results obtained we were able to show that the climacteric was indeed experienced in south-east Asian countries, although in a mild form. The prevalence of hot flushes and of sweating was lower than in western countries, but was nevertheless not negligible. The percentages of women who reported the more psychological types of complaint were similar to those in western countries. The occurrence of climacteric complaints affected perceived health status. A physician was consulted for climacteric complaints by 20% of the respondents, although this was most frequently associated with the occurrence of psychological complaints and less so with that of hot flushes and sweating. The median age at menopause (51.09) appeared to be within the ranges observed in western countries. Ethnic background and age at menarche were found to have a significant influence on age at menopause. The study clearly demonstrated that climacteric complaints occur in south-east Asia. The findings suggest, however, that vasomotor-complaint-related distress might be 'translated' into psychological complaints, which are more frequently considered to warrant consulting a physician.

A study on the menopause in Malaysia.

In an attempt to gather data on the menopause in Malaysia, 400 women (13% Chinese, 70% Malays and 16% Indians), representing the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia, were interviewed. The majority (76%) of these women were still married and living with their husbands and 63% of them were working. Most of them (90%) had attained menarche by the age of 15 years and 50% of them had married before the age of 20. Their reproductive record was good, since 76% of them had 3 or more children who were still alive. The mean age at menopause in the Malaysian women studied was 50.7 years. Analysis of the climacteric symptoms reported showed significant differences in the vasomotor and nervosity indices in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Eighty percent (80%) of the women saw no need to consult a doctor about their climacteric symptoms. When they did, most of them (84%) received medication, but 43% of them did not comply with the prescribed treatment. Dyspareunia and urinary incontinence were evidently regarded as embarrassing complaints in all three groups, since around 80% of the women did not seek medical advice. This is not surprising in view of the fact that 89% of them rated their health as good.

[The characteristics of the spontaneous realization of sexual intercourse in economically employed women]. / Osobenosti v neposredstvenata realizatsiia na polovoto snoshenie pri ikonomicheski angazhirani zheni.

The basic parameters, connected with spontaneous realization of sexual intercourse in 411 women workers and employees, chosen at random, are studied. Various regularities are established: the lubrication is connected with difficulties in women with inflammatory changes in the internal sexual organs. The feeling of sexual excitation during sexual intercourse is stronger in women with larger number of sexual partners since the beginning of their sexual life. Disturbances in the occurrence of orgasm are more frequent in employees. Dyspareunia is connected mainly with organic changes in genitals, but it is determining factor for the success of sexual life. The frequency of the experienced pleasure is influenced by various social and biological factors comparatively slightly.