Pelvic floor disorders are common and although not life-threatening, have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Sexual health is an essential component of a women's overall well-being. In clinical practice and research it is important that the symptoms and impact of these disorders are assessed in an objective fashion. The most valid instruments to measure the presence, severity, and impact of a patient's pelvic floor symptoms on function and quality of life are sexual function questionnaires. Sexual function questionnaires range from ad hoc questionnaires to condition-specific validated measures. This review article will describe the shortcomings and strengths of a variety of validated sexual function questionnaires currently used to measure sexual function in women with pelvic floor disorders.

Introduction and hypothesis-This study seeks to determine if total vaginal length (TVL) or genital hiatus (GH) impact sexual activity and function.

Improvements in overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were assessed during a 24-week study of tolterodine extended release (TOL ER) in sexually active women with OAB and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). A 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was followed by a 12-week open-label phase. Sexually active women reported symptoms for >or=3 months. Subjects completed bladder diaries and HRQL measures at baseline and weeks 12 and 24. One hundred sixty-one women received TOL ER for 24 weeks. Women reported significant improvements in all end points at week 12 that were maintained or improved at 24 weeks. At week 24, 70% of subjects reported no UUI episodes. TOL ER resulted in improvements in OAB symptoms and HRQL that were maintained or greater with 6 months of use. Long-term compliance with OAB pharmacotherapy may be important for optimal treatment outcomes.

Introduction and Hypothesis The purpose of this study is to validate Spanish versions of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ). Methods Spanish versions were developed using back translation. Validation was performed by randomizing bilingual women to complete the Spanish or English versions of the questionnaires first. Weighted kappa statistics assessed agreement for individual questions; interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) compared primary and subscale scores. Cronbach’s alpha assessed internal consistency of Spanish versions. To detect a 2.7 point difference in scores with 80% power and alpha of 0.05, 44 bilingual subjects were required. Results Individual questions showed good to excellent agreement (kappa ≥ .6) for all but 8 questions on the PFIQ. ICC’s of primary and subscale scores for both questionnaires showed excellent agreement. (All ICC ≥ 0.79). All Cronbach’s alpha’s values were excellent (≥ 0.84) for the primary scales of both questionnaires. Conclusions Valid and reliable Spanish versions of the PFIQ and PFDI have been developed.

Introduction and hypothesis The objective of this study was to compare complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in women with and without pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Methods We conducted a survey of women presenting to a specialty urogynecology (Urogyn) and gynecology (Gyn) clinic that examined demographic data, CAM use, and the presence of PFD (validated questionnaires). T tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis. To detect a 20% difference between groups, 234 Urogyn and 103 Gyn patients were needed. Results Participants included 234 Urogyn and 103 Gyn patients. Urogyn patients reported more CAM use than Gyn patients, even when controlled for differences between groups (51% vs. 32%, adjusted p=0.006). Previous treatment (61% vs. 39%, adjusted p<0.001) and increased number of PFD was associated with increased CAM use (adjusted p=0.02). Conclusions Women with PFD use CAM more frequently than women without PFD.