Introduction Sexual functioning is a common and multidimensional problem, associated with multiple biological, medical, psychological, sociocultural, political, economic, and interpersonal factors. Aim The study was planned to determine the prevalence and risk factors for low sexual function in women in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Istanbul. Methods Totally, 1,009 women over 20 years of age or their healthy female companions were interviewed in the outpatient clinics of the Department of Internal Medicine in a university hospital in Istanbul. Main Outcome Measures Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual function. Results The mean age of women was 38.62 ± 12.82 and 22.2% of women were postmenopausal. The mean FSFI score was found to be 24.25 ± 9.50 out of a maximum total score of 36. Based on the total FSFI score, 43.4% of the women had scores less then 26. The mean domain scores were: desire 3.14 ± 1.47, arousal 3.60 ± 1.85, lubrication 4.53 ± 2.01, orgasm 4.02 ± 1.97, satisfaction 4.27 ± 1.64, and pain 4.69 ± 1.96 out of a maximum domain score of six. The rate of low sexual function by the age groups were 22% for those 20–29 years, 39.7% for those 30–39 years, 50.2% for those 40–49 years, 71.3% for those 50–59 years, 82.9% for those 60–64 years, and 87.8% for those 65 and over. Lower educational level, menopause, depression, presence of sexual dysfunction in their partner, and contraceptive use were found to be significantly associated with low sexual function in women. Conclusions The prevalence of low sexual function in women was found to significantly increase with age. The most significantly affected domains were desire and arousal followed by orgasmic problems, satisfaction, and pain, respectively.

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Background: The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) in women aged 20 years or older and to assess its influence on the quality of life (QOL). Materials and Methods: The study group was comprised of 625 women determined using the stratified sampling technique according to age and residence. The data were collected through a questionnaire and the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument. Results: The prevalence of UI was 25.8%. UI was significantly associated with body mass index (OR 12.75, 95% CI 6.68–24.6), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.44–8.73), neurological disorders (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.69–8.58), recurrent urinary tract infections (OR 4.73, 95% CI 2.52–8.88). Impairment of QOL was related with the type of UI, frequency of UI episodes, amount of leakage and UI during sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Our study results determined that UI is common in women. The QOL of women was either mildly and moderately affected by UI.

The aim of this study was to define the effects of pregnancy on sexual life. The research was carried out during January-August 2000 at the Antenatal Polyclinic of University of Istanbul, Faculty of Medicine. The sampling consisted of 150 pregnant women in the 34th week or later in pregnancy, who were not restricted in their sexual lives by their physicians, and for whom the risks of placenta previa, early rupture of membranes, and premature birth risk were not present. We gathered the data using an interview form that was developed in the direction of the phases of sexual function (desire, stimulation, plato, orgasm, resolution). The form included 63 questions covering the experiences of pregnant women in all three trimesters of pregnancy. Researchers filled out forms during face-to-face interviews with the pregnant women. Sexual intercourse frequency was noted to decrease as pregnancy progressed. Fear of sexual intercourse was prevalent particularly in the third trimester. The pregnant women experienced less stimulation during sexual intercourse as pregnancy progressed. Length of intercourse also decreased during the later phases of pregnancy compared with prepregnancy. Inability to experience orgasm increased with each trimester. We determined that pregnant women felt more pain during the coitus as the pregnancy progressed. The rate of sexual satisfaction declined as pregnancy progressed, particularly during the third trimester. We determined in our study that sexual functioning declines as pregnancy progresses compared with prepregnancy.

Background: Urinary incontinence is an annoying, uncomfortable and unpleasant condition affecting the elderly. The problem of bedwetting and other urinary complaints are common in rest homes. Objective: Our study aimed to determine the efficiency of bladder training and Kegel exercises for older women living in a rest home. Methods: This is an experimental prospective research study. Through a randomization process, 25 women were included in the treatment group, and another 25 were included in the control group. Participants were living in a rest home for women aged older than 65 years with urinary complaints. The pretreatment interview form, Quality of Life Scale, Mini-Mental Test, Rankin Scale, daily urinary forms and pad tests were administered to the treatment and control groups. Bladder training and Kegel exercises were given to the treatment group for 6–8 weeks. The second evaluation was performed 8 weeks after treatment, and the last evaluation was carried out 6 months after treatment. Results: The average age of the treatment group was 78.88 ± 4.80 years, and the average age of the control group 79.44 ± 5.32 years. Urgency, frequency and nocturia were common complaints. Pretreatment, 8-week and 6-month evaluations revealed that the amount of urinary incontinence with urgency, frequency and nocturia complaints statistically and significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group. In the pad test results, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the treatment group compared to the control group. A significant increase in pelvic floor strength was observed in the treatment group compared to the control group upon all evaluations. Conclusion: Behavioral therapy can be used easily as an effective treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly women living at a rest home.

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are quite effective in the augmentation of the pelvic floor muscle strength and consequently in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Educating women about the spontaneous pushing technique in the first stage of labor and providing support for spontaneous pushing in the second stage result in a shorter second stage without interventions and in improved newborn outcomes. Women also stated that they pushed more effectively with the spontaneous pushing technique.

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