Frequency of Sexual Dysfunction among Female Patients Presenting with Urinary Incontinence: Sexual Dysfunction in Females with Urinary Incontinence

Muhammad Haroon; Sadia Younas; Muzammil Hassan; Anila Jamshaid; Zehra Kazmi

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v7i5.3645

Authors

Muhammad Haroon Department of Urology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Sadia Younas Department of Urology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Muzammil Hassan Department of Urology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Anila Jamshaid Department of Urology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Zehra Kazmi Department of Urology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i5.3645

Keywords:

Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological, Urinary Incontinence, Women’s Health

Abstract

Urinary incontinence can negatively affect women’s quality of life, often leading to reduced confidence and sexual dysfunction. Determining its frequency helps guide comprehensive clinical assessment and improve patient-centered management strategies. Objective: To determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction among female patients presenting with urinary incontinence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Urology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from 1^st April 2024 to 30^th September 2024. This study included 180 sexually active women aged 16–80 years presenting with urinary incontinence. Participants were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), with a score ≤26.55 indicating dysfunction. Demographic data, comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension), and urinary incontinence characteristics (type and duration) were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied, and p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 180 participants, 44 (24.4%) had sexual dysfunction, and 136 (75.6%) had normal sexual function. Median age was 46 years, and mean BMI was 31.9 ± 5.8 kg/m². Sexual dysfunction showed no significant association with age, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, residence, or type and duration of urinary incontinence. However, FSFI domain scores—including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were significantly lower among women with sexual dysfunction (p<0.001 for all). Conclusions: Nearly one-fourth of women with urinary incontinence experienced sexual dysfunction, independent of demographic or comorbid factors. Urinary incontinence adversely affected multiple aspects of sexual health.

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