Vaginal anatomy and sexual function

Abstract

Vaginal anatomy, measured by introital caliber, length, and vulvovaginal atrophy, does not correlate well with sexual function, particularly symptoms of dyspareunia and vaginal dryness.

Sexual function in women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

“…The control group for the sexual function data was the UK female population used to devise, standardize, and validate the GRISS sexual function questionnaire (13,14). We did not recruit and examine a control group for the clinical examination because accurate and reproducible data and methods from adequate sample sizes are already available for genital dimensions (15)(16)(17).…”

“…Depending on vaginal size, the introital width and vaginal length measurements were taken with graded-size vaginal dilators (15) or a high vaginal swab (for vaginal length). Two of the authors (CLM and SMC) performed all the examinations, and were not blinded to the patient's past history but were blinded to the patient's sexual function scores.…”

“…Two of the authors (CLM and SMC) performed all the examinations, and were not blinded to the patient's past history but were blinded to the patient's sexual function scores. Anatomical dimensions were assessed against published normal values for clitoral (16,17) and vaginal sizes (15). The vagina was defined as short if it was less than 8 cm in length, (Ͼ2 SD below mean) (15).…”

“…Anatomical dimensions were assessed against published normal values for clitoral (16,17) and vaginal sizes (15). The vagina was defined as short if it was less than 8 cm in length, (Ͼ2 SD below mean) (15). The clitoris was defined as small if the transverse or longitudinal diameter of the glans was less than 1.4 mm or 2.3 mm, respectively, or the body length was less than 7.4 mm (Ͼ2 SD from mean) (16,17).…”

“…Due to the action of fetal testicular antimüllerian hormone (AMH) on the developing müllerian ducts we hypothesized that CAIS might be associated with 25% to 33% loss of vaginal length. The normal range for adult vaginal length is 11.1 Ϯ 1.0 cm in women who have not undergone vaginal surgery (15), although variation in length may occur with state of sexual arousal and regularity of sexual activity. Our study finding of a mean adult vaginal length of 8.4 cm in CAIS women lends some support to this hypothesis.…”