Evaluation of Sexual Function in Brazilian Women with Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Localized Provoked Vulvodynia

Abstract

Introduction Recurrent vulvovaginitis is an important trigger for inflammatory processes that in many cases may result in vulvovaginal pain. Vulvodynia, a vulvar disorder, can also cause a lot of pain in the female genitals. The sexual function in women with vulvodynia or recurrent vulvovaginitis will possibly be negatively affected and therefore should be evaluated. Aim To assess sexual function in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) and localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) in comparison with women without lower genital tract dysfunction. Methods A 1-year cross-sectional study evaluated sexual function in 58 women (11 with RVVC, 18 with LPV, and 29 controls) seen at a university outpatient clinic. Sexual function was assessed by taking into account the results obtained from the application of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, chi-square, and Fisher’s tests were used for statistical analysis. Main Outcome Measure FSFI, a validated questionnaire in Portuguese. Results There were no significant differences in the three groups with respect to age, marital status, schooling, race, body mass index, contraceptive method, and parity. The FSFI questionnaire total score found was 25.51 (±5.12), 21.17 (±5.15), and 29.56 (±3.87) for the RVVC, LPV, and control groups, respectively. The scores were significantly statistically lower in the study groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Women with RVVC and LPV also had lower total scores compared with 26.55 values, considered a cutoff score for sexual dysfunction in literature. The LPV group showed a significant difference and scored worse in the domains of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain but not in the domain of sexual desire. The same occurred with the RVVC group but only for the domains of orgasm and satisfaction. Conclusion Women with RVVC and LPV had significantly more symptoms of sexual dysfunction than women without lower genital tract diseases.

Sexual Function in Patients with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

“…assessed the sexual satisfaction of patients with recurrent yeast infection. The control group, which comprised women with no vaginal discharge or vulvodynia, had a mean full‐scale FSFI score of 29.6, whereas women in the symptomatic groups had scores of 25.5, 21.2, and 22.8 [14]. Another Brazilian study evaluated sexual function in patients with premature ovarian failure, and full‐scale FSFI scores in the control group (women with normal ovarian function) was 27.3 [15].…”

Female Sexual Function Index Short Version: A MsFLASH Item Response Analysis

“…The 19-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is one measure that has been popular worldwide. Originally developed in English (Rosen et al, 2000), the scale has been translated into multiple languages (Chang, Chang, Chen, & Lin, 2009; Fakhri, Pakpour, Burri, Morshedi, & Zeidi, 2012; Filocamo et al, 2013; Ghassamia, Asghari, Shaeiri, & Safarinejad, 2013; Giraldo et al, 2012; Kriston, Gunzler, Rohde, & Berner, 2010; Nowosielski, Wrobel, Sioma-Markowska, & Poreba, 2013; Sidi, Abdullah, Puteh, & Midin, 2007; Sun, Li, Jin, Fan, & Wang, 2011; Takahashi, Inokuchi, Watanabe, Saito, & Kai, 2011). FSFI questions are coded from 0.0 to 5.0.…”

Reflexões sobre as disfunções sacroilíaca e sexual

“…Para a World Association for Sexual Health, a saúde sexual é um componente essencial da saúde e bem-estar, sendo um dos pilares da qualidade de vida nos seres humanos (GIRALDO et al, 2012). Especialmente com relação à população feminina, dificuldades de desempenho e satisfação sexual Saúde e Pesquisa, Maringá (PR)…”

“…Para a World Association for Sexual Health, a saúde sexual é um componente essencial da saúde e bem-estar, sendo um dos pilares da qualidade de vida nos seres humanos (GIRALDO et al, 2012). Especialmente com relação à população feminina, dificuldades de desempenho e satisfação sexual são problemas relevantes de saúde pública, acometendo grande parte da população e prejudicando sua qualidade de vida (HENTSCHEL et al, 2006;ABDO, 2009) A definição de disfunção sexual feminina evoluiu, nos últimos 15 anos, refletindo o conceito de que o princípio da resposta sexual feminina é composto por uma variedade de domínios e categorias ( JONES, 2002;ABDO, 2004).…”