The relationship between pelvic floor distress and sexual function in women with urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between pelvic organ prolapse distress, colorectal-anal distress, and urinary distress and sexual function in women with urinary incontinence. METHODS: This is a descriptive correlational study. The study was conducted in the urogynecology outpatient clinic of a training and research hospital in a province located in the central Anatolia region of Turkey. The study included 328 women with urinary incontinence. RESULTS: The women who participated in the study had urinary incontinence for 6.2 (SD 4.6) years. The mean total sexual function score of the women was 18.7 (SD 3.8), and they had poor sexual function. Pelvic organ prolapse distress, colorectal-anal distress, and urinary distress were significant associated factors negatively affecting the sexual function of the women (p<0.001). In addition, colorectal-anal distress was an important risk factor negatively affecting women’s sexual function (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pelvic organ prolapse distress, colorectal-anal distress, and urinary distress negatively affect the sexual function of women with urinary incontinence.