Urogenital complaints and female sexual dysfunction (part 1).

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction and dyspareunia are common complaints in women with urological disorders. AIM: To provide a comprehensive review of sexual dysfunction related to common hypersensitive/hyperactive urogenital disorders including interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), overactive bladder (OAB) with and without incontinence, and high-tone pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and the appropriate treatment strategies.
METHODS: A medical literature search using several related terms including sexual dysfunction, dyspareunia, IC/PBS, OAB, urinary incontinence pelvic floor dysfunction, and levator ani muscle spasm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Review of the medical literature to identify relation between sexual dysfunction and common urological disorders in women and to describe appropriate treatment strategies to improve the women's quality of life.
RESULTS: A thorough review of sexual dysfunction in urological disorders and their related treatments modalities including: behavioral, pharmacological, and nonpharmacological therapies.
CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction is a common, underestimated, and untreated complaint in women with urologic disorders. Identifying sexual complaints and treating the underlying etiologies can result in significant improvement in a woman's quality of life. This process requires a focused, multidisciplinary approach tailored to meet the needs of women with urogenital complaints.