Assessment of the sexual function of women with primary bladder pain syndrome

Introduction. Primary bladder pain syndrome (PBPS) also known as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a disease with a significant deterioration in quality of life. The reason of that is not only the presence of constant pain in the bladder and urinary disorders, but also due to psychoemotional disorders and sexual dysfunctions. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, nature and severity of sexual dysfunctions in women with PBPS. Materials and methods. The study involved 75 women (mean age 42.4±3.1 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of PBPS, the control group consisted of 75 women (mean age 41.8 ± 2.9 years) without dysuria and pelvic pain. The severity of clinical manifestations of PBPS was assessed on the basis of a 10-point visual analogue scale of pain in the bladder (VAS-10), questionnaires «Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale, PUF Scale» and O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (ICSI). Sexual function was assessed using a specialized questionnaire «Female Sexual Function Index» (FSFI). Results. The overall assessment of sexual function according to the FSFI questionnaire in patients with PBPS was significantly lower than in the control group. In the patients of the main group the mean score according to the FSFI questionnaire was 16.5 ± 4.4, while in the control group it was 30.5 ± 4.2 points (p function show_eabstract() { $('#eabstract1').hide(); $('#eabstract2').show(); $('#eabstract_expand').hide(); }