Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Effect in Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high in postmenopausal women and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) could improve sexual function during this period. Aim To assess the effect of a PFMT protocol on sexual function in postmenopausal women and to investigate the effect of this protocol on pelvic floor muscle function. Methods This is an assessor blinded randomized controlled trial including 77 postmenopausal women. The study was registered in ReBEC Trial: RBR-3s3ff7. The intervention group (n = 40) received an intensive supervised PFMT protocol during 12 weeks and the control group (n = 37) received no intervention. Outcomes The primary outcome of the study was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and the secondary outcome was the evaluation of pelvic floor muscle function performed by digital palpation using the modified Oxford scale at baseline and after 12 weeks. RESULTS No difference between groups was found in the FSFI domains and total score at baseline and in the second evaluation after 12 weeks. However, after 12 weeks, a higher percentage of women without sexual dysfunction was found in the intervention group (95% CI = 27.97–72.03) when compared to the control group (95% CI = 7.13–92.87). No difference was found between groups in relation to the pelvic floor muscle function at the baseline (P = .2) and after 12 weeks (P = .06). Clinical Implications PFMT is a conservative intervention that can lead women to have less sexual dysfunction. Strengths & Limitations The protocol provided a reduced number of women with sexual dysfunction, the strength of this research is the study design and the limitation is to have used only one tool to assess sexual function although it is a validated questionnaire. CONCLUSION PFMT decreases sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

To Compare the Effects of two Pelvic Floor Muscle Treatments on Quality of Life and Sexual Function in Female Patients With Urinary Incontinence

“…In addition, exercise improves muscle tone and improves circulation, which is particularly important for the smaller muscles of the pelvic floor that are responsible for engorging the clitoris when women are aroused. 40 Our results indicate that by improving muscle strength and performance, women utilizing these protocols were better able to control UI, and as a result they experienced an improved quality of life and intimacy. Although both protocols under evaluation proved efficacious, the protocol followed by the 15ES-15EB group may offer additional benefits in that greater muscular improvements were observed in tonic and flick contractions.…”

Prevalence and Severity of Pelvic Floor Disorders during Pregnancy: Does the Trimester Make a Difference?

“…PFMT proven effective to treat stress and urge incontinence [ 21 , 22 ] and employed before or as of early pregnancy is expected to prevent or alleviate PFD symptoms. It has been reported that PFMT improves sexual function in postmenopausal women and when introduced postnatally [ 23 , 24 ]. However, studies describing the effect of PFMT on sexual function and other PFD symptoms during pregnancy are lacking.…”

Continuous Psychological Nursing Based on Grey Clustering Algorithm in Patients after Transurethral Resection of Prostate

“…Pelvic floor muscle exercise is also called Kegel exercise, often called anal lifting exercise. It can treat diseases such as uterine prolapse, female sexual dysfunction, and urinary incontinence [22][23][24]. The cavernous nerve controlling male penile erection and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves innervating prostate and bladder all come from pelvic plexus.…”