The effects of fibromyalgia syndrome on female sexuality: a controlled study

IntroductionFibromyalgia may have negative effects on sexual function in women.AimsTo evaluate the sexuality of women with fibromyalgia and healthy control subjects, and to investigate the relation between sexuality and clinical parameters of fibromyalgia.Main Outcome MeasuresFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Tender Points Count (TPC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).MethodsClinical evaluation and surveys were done with 126 women with fibromyalgia and 132 healthy women.ResultsPatients with fibromyalgia had higher BDI scores and lower frequency of sexual intercourse than control subjects. The mean FSFI scores (total and all domains) were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia than control subjects. Mean FSFI scores (total and most domains) were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia who had BDI score ≥ 17 than those who had BDI score < 17. In women with fibromyalgia, a significant negative correlation was noted between total FSFI score, and both FIQ and BDI scores.ConclusionsFibromyalgia has negative effects on female sexual function that are aggravated by depression. Yilmaz H, Yilmaz SD, Polat HAD, Salli A, Erkin G, and Ugurlu H. The effects of fibromyalgia syndrome on female sexuality: a controlled study. J Sex Med 2012;9:779–785.     

A comparison of women's regret after vasectomy versus tubal sterilization

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 5-year cumulative probability of regret and risk factors for regret among women whose husbands underwent vasectomy with women after tubal sterilization. METHODS: A total of 525 women whose husbands underwent vasectomy were compared with 3672 women who underwent tubal sterilization in a prospective, multicenter, cohort study. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of a woman expressing regret within 5 years after her husband's vasectomy was 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6, 8.6), which was similar to the 5-year cumulative probability of regret among women after tubal sterilization (7.0%, 95% CI 5.8, 8.1). Women who reported substantial conflict with their husbands before vasectomy were more than 25 times more likely to request that their husband have a reversal than women who did not report such conflict (rate ratio 25.3, 95% CI 2.9, 217.2). Similarly, women who reported substantial conflict with their husbands or partners before tubal sterilization were more then three times as likely to regret their decision and more than five times as likely to request a reversal than women who did not report such conflict (rate ratio 3.1, 95% CI 1.4, 7.0, and rate ratio 5.4, 95% CI 1.6, 17.6, respectively). CONCLUSION: Most women did not express regret after their husband's vasectomy and the probability of regret was similar to sterilized women. However, when there was substantial conflict between a woman and her husband before vasectomy or tubal sterilization, the probability of subsequent request for reversal was increased.     

Factors associated with married women's selection of tubal sterilization and vasectomy

Multivariate analyses of data from 248 married women scheduled for tubal sterilization and 165 wives of men scheduled for vasectomy indicated that male and female sterilization methods were selected for different reasons and under different circumstances. More specifically, the woman who underwent tubal sterilization was more likely to have perceived that she had greater influence than her husband over the sterilization decision, to have had cesarean section or vaginal delivery in association with sterilization, to have chosen tubal ligation because her spouse refused to undergo the alternative procedure or because it was convenient to combine it with delivery or other surgery, and to have had a spouse who was unwilling to be sterilized because of possible side effects associated with vasectomy. The woman whose husband underwent vasectomy was more likely to have been very fearful of surgery in general or especially fearful of reproductive surgery, to have known many men who already had had a vasectomy, to have perceived that her husband was more strongly motivated than herself to terminate childbearing, to have had a spouse who participated in birth control, and to have chosen vasectomy because it was easier or less expensive or because her physician advised against tubal sterilization.     

Impact of tubal sterilization on women's health

In this study we aimed to investigate the possible health effects of tubal sterilization on women who had chosen this method. A total of 127 women who had tubal sterilization between 2000-2005 were asked about their satisfaction with the method; their regrets and complaints, the effects of the tubal sterilization on their sexual life and their actual health. While 95% of the women were satisfied with the operation, only 76.9% of the patients would recommend this method to other woman. Although 23.1% reported changes in their sexual life after the sterilization, 30% reported changes in their menstrual cycle and 35% reported lower abdominal pain, two-thirds of the women did not state any significant complaint. Women who underwent the procedure at least two years before had fewer complaints; high school graduates and more educated women reported more changes in their sexual life. Women who had tubal sterilization were mostly satisfied with the method and were willing to recommend it to another woman.     

Characteristics of women who considered or obtained tubal reanastomosis: results from a prospective study of tubal sterilization

The Collaborative Review of Sterilization is a prospective study of women undergoing tubal sterilization at selected medical centers in the United States. This analysis examined 5817 study participants who were asked whether they had sought information on tubal reanastomosis after their sterilizations and whether they had actually obtained reanastomosis surgery. Characteristics that predicted the likelihood of seeking reanastomosis information were examined in multivariate, logistic regression models that included age, race, number of living children, history of abortion, education, timing of sterilization in relation to pregnancy, initial marital status, and change in marital status. Among the women studied, 6.2% reported that they had sought information on reanastomosis. Women who were younger than 30 years old at the time of sterilization were twice as likely to seek such information as women aged 30-34, and women who had experienced changes in martial status after sterilization were 2.8 times as likely to seek information as women with unchanged marital status. Thirteen women had actually obtained reanastomosis. Compared with the overall study population, these women were more likely to be white, to have lower gravidity, to be younger, and to have experienced changes in marital status.     

A tubal plug and clip method for female sterilization

Animal studies using rabbits, stumptailed macaques monkeys, and baboons demonstrate that the tubal plug and clip device is an effective and safe method for female sterilization in these animal models. The devices were placed in 18 baboons that were bred regularly for six to 18 months without conception. Ten of these 18 animals conceived within 12 months after removal of the devices and carried normal pregnancies without any other surgical procedure. Six of the ten animals conceived and carried a second pregnancy for a total of 16 successful pregnancies. The expected pregnancy rate for baboons is 64.9% per year so that the 55.6% success rate of reversal and 16 total pregnancies clearly represents a high degree of reversibility for the method in this animal species.     

Impact of pelvic radiotherapy on female sexuality

Purpose  

To assess physical and psychological morbidity, sexual functioning and social and relationship satisfaction among women treated with pelvic radiotherapy.     

Effects of abdominoplasty on female sexuality: a pilot study

IntroductionChanges in the pubic region resulting from abdominoplasty may have a psychosexual impact. Thus, it is important to study the influence of physical changes on the sexuality of patients after abdominoplasty.AimTo evaluate the effects of the elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris in the vulvar commissure on the sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of women who underwent abdominoplasty.MethodsData were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Nineteen women with a mean age of 35 ± 7 years, mean body mass index of 23 ± 2 kg/m² and who expressed a desire to undergo abdominoplasty were selected from consecutive patients attending the abdominal plastic surgery outpatient unit of a university hospital.Main Outcome MeasuresPhysical change (measured by the distance between the xiphoid process and vulvar commissure [xipho‐vc]), sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction (assessed with the Sexuality Assessment Scale), and body image (measured using the Body Shape Questionnaire [BSQ]) were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months after abdominoplasty.ResultsThere was a significant reduction (P = 0.0004; z = ?3.53) in the xipho‐vc distance 6 months after abdominoplasty compared with baseline (mean difference 3.63 ± 2.79 cm), corresponding to an elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris. All patients reported a significant improvement in sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction 6 months after abdominoplasty when compared with baseline (P = 0.0001; z = ?3.83). BSQ scores indicated an improvement in the patients' concerns about body shape (P = 0.0003; z = ?3.58).ConclusionOur results suggest that physical change and the new position of the clitoris may have a positive impact on sexuality. de Brito MJA, Nahas FX, Bussolaro RA, Shinmyo LM, Barbosa MVJ, and Ferreira LM. Effects of abdominoplasty on female sexuality: A pilot study. J Sex Med 2012;9:918–926.     

Transcervical or intraperitoneal analgesia for laparoscopic tubal sterilization: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of analgesia administered transcervically through a uterine manipulator compared with direct topical application to the fallopian tubes for relief of postoperative pain after interval laparoscopic tubal sterilization. METHODS: Sixty-one women who had laparoscopic sterilization were enrolled in a randomized, double-masked clinical trial comparing analgesia with 75 mg of bupivacaine administered through a uterine manipulator with 75 mg of bupivacaine applied directly to the fallopian tubes through a secondary trocar. Results were evaluated using visual analog scale pain levels, time of administration of analgesics, total analgesics required, and recovery room times. We calculated that a sample size of 60 women would detect a 30% difference in pain levels with a power of 80% at a significance level of .05. RESULTS: In the 59 women who completed the study, there were no differences in the two groups in pain levels, amounts of medications used, or times to administration of postoperative analgesia. Mean recovery room time was shorter in the group given analgesia transcervically, but that difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in postoperative pain relief between transcervical administration and topical application of analgesia for laparoscopic tubal sterilization.     

Married women's dissatisfaction with tubal sterilization and vasectomy at first-year follow-up: effects of perceived spousal dominance

Examination of first-year follow-up data obtained from 234 tubal ligation women and 154 vasectomy wives indicated a very low incidence of actual regret in both groups. However, use of a broader measure of satisfaction/dissatisfaction indicated that tubal ligation women had significantly more positive feelings about the sterilization decision than did vasectomy wives. Results of a series of multivariate statistical analyses demonstrated that group differences in satisfaction were related to (1) the disproportionate prevalence of perceived male control (particularly extensive control) over reproductive decisions among vasectomy wives and the negative effect it had upon subjects in both groups and (2) the disproportionate prevalence of female control over reproductive decision-making among tubal ligation women and the positive effect it had among subjects in this group. Study results point to the importance of couple counseling and exercising control over one's own body.     

Surgical adhesives and tubal sterilization: an experimental study

AIM: Our aim was to assess the application of three currently used surgical adhesives in the tubal lumen of rabbits, to promote sterilization, using a transvaginal approach. METHODS: Fifty-seven female albino New Zealand rabbits (114 uterine tubes), which became pregnant and delivered before the experiment, were divided into four groups: GS (sham-24 tubes), GEFIBRI (0.25 mL of fibrin adhesive in 30 tubes), GE-GRF (0.25 mL of resorcin adhesive in 30 tubes) and GEBUTYL (0.25 mL of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive in 30 tubes). The animals were mated with proven fertile males after the experiment and observed over 30, 90 and 180 days. Pregnancy and patency were macroscopically evaluated. The tubal diameter, tubal mucosa, myosalpinx, total optical density and inflammatory process were microscopically evaluated. The statistical analysis was performed by McNemar and Wilcoxon tests for the subgroups, and Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis test for the groups, the differences identified by Dunn's multiple comparisons test (P=5%). RESULTS: GS showed patency and pregnancies in all subgroups. GEFIBRI showed patency and pregnancies in all subgroups. GE-GRF did not show patency or pregnancies, but was associated with severe inflammatory process and tubal morphology alterations. GEBUTYL did not show patency, pregnancies or morphological tubal mucosa alterations. CONCLUSIONS: The n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive effectively promoted tubal obstruction, did not cause tubal morphological alterations, nor did it impair the rabbit pregnancy. The fibrin adhesive failed to cause the occlusion. The GRF adhesive, in spite of producing tubal occlusion, caused severe uterine tubes damage.     

Two randomized controlled trials comparing the tubal ring and filshie clip for tubal sterilization

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of the Filshie Clip and Tubal Ring systems when applied via minilaparotomy and laparoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial, with postoperative evaluation by a physician who was masked to the operative technique. SETTING: Healthy volunteers in a variety of hospital settings. PATIENT(S): 2746 women (915 in the minilaparotomy study and 1831 in the laparoscopy study) who had requested permanent surgical sterilization. INTERVENTION(S): Surgical tubal ligation, using either Filshie Clips or Tubal Rings. A physician other than the surgeon evaluated the patients after the operation and again at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rates and safety-related events. Result(s): During the 12 months after surgery, two women who received the Filshie Clip and two women who received the Tubal Ring became pregnant, giving a 12-month life-table pregnancy probability of 1.7 per 1000 women in both groups. The Tubal Ring was more difficult to apply and had higher rates of tubal or mesosalpingeal injuries at surgery. The Filshie Clip group had three cases of spontaneous clip expulsion during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION(S): Both the Filshie Clip and Tubal Ring are effective and safe for use in tubal occlusion.     

Male or female sterilization: a comparative study

The study compares 709 males and 546 females recruited from a well-defined geographic area and sterilized during a 5-year period at the same hospital. Medical records were reviewed and questionnaires sent out. Widespread satisfaction with the sterilization was found. The sterilized women had experienced contraceptive side effects and failures more often than the men. Only 70% of the laparoscopic sterilizations could be carried out during a 1-day admission, 25% of the women complained about long-term sequelae, and there were 1% failures. The vasectomies were carried out on an outpatient basis, there were few postoperative symptoms, and 0.5% failures were recorded. Female sterilization was at least four times as expensive as vasectomy. It is concluded that vasectomy is generally to be preferred to female sterilization, and that the preoperative guidance should involve both man and wife.     

Resident education and training in female sexuality: results of a national survey

IntroductionConsidering the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction, the lack of education and training in female sexual function and dysfunction (FSF&;D) during and obstetrics and gynecology residency highlights a need for greater focus on this topic.AimTo assess understanding and confidence among third and fourth year Ob/Gyn residents with respect to FSF&;D.MethodsAn Internet‐based survey was constructed to evaluate third and fourth year residents in American Council for Graduate Medical Education‐approved Ob/Gyn programs. Residents were asked about familiarity, knowledge, and confidence in treating various aspects of FSF&;D, based on the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) Educational Objectives for Ob/Gyn training. They were also queried regarding areas of improvement for their education.Main Outcome MeasureResponses to survey instrument.ResultsTwo hundred thirty‐four residents responded. The majority (91.5%) reported attending ≤5 didactic activities on FSF&;D. Only 19.6% reported often or always screening women for sexual function problems; most had very little or no knowledge in administering or interpreting screening questionnaires. While many (82.8%) felt confident about obtaining a complete sexual history, only 54.7% felt able to perform a targeted physical exam. Although most residents had cared for women with dyspareunia (55.1%), a minority had managed many women with low desire (18.4%), arousal problems (8.1%), anorgasmia (5.6%), or vaginismus (16.7%). In treating patients, 34–56% reported rarely or never suggesting ancillary therapy such as counseling and medications. However, the majority believed that their confidence would increase through FSF&;D lectures (97.9%), FSF&;D patient observations (97.4%), rotating with a urogynecologist (94.4%), and online modules (90.6%).ConclusionDespite CREOG requirements for Ob/Gyn training in female sexuality, most residents feel ill‐equipped to address these problems. Additional evidence‐based educational and didactic activities would enhance residents' knowledge and confidence in treating these common, quality‐of‐life issues. Pancholy AB, Goldenhar L, Fellner AN, Crisp C, Kleeman S, and Pauls R. Resident education and training in female sexuality: Results of a national survey.     

Menstrual pattern change 1 year after sterilization: results of a controlled, prospective study

To determine if female sterilization is associated with adverse menstrual change, we compared prospectively collected menstrual data from women who underwent sterilization via bipolar cauterization, banding, and Pomeroy ligation with data from women whose husbands obtained a vasectomy and from women who were not planning sterilization. At first-year follow-up, sterilization via banding with Falope rings was not associated with adverse change. After excluding initially abnormal cases: (1) cauterization women were bleeding more heavily than all other groups excepting Pomeroy; (2) cauterization and Pomeroy women experienced more dysmenorrhea than women not planning sterilization; and (3) more cauterization and Pomeroy women (collapsed samples) developed abnormal length cycles than did the two control groups. There were no group differences regarding development of beneficial/neutral change (e.g., decreased dysmenorrhea). However, cauterization and Pomeroy groups experienced a significantly higher average number of adverse changes than did the other groups and were at significantly greater risk of developing one or more adverse changes than were women not planning sterilization. The only pattern of association among adverse menstrual changes occurred significantly more often in the cauterization and next in the Pomeroy groups.     

Laparoscopic electrocoagulation and tubal ring techniques for sterilization: a comparative study.

From August 1975 through May 1976, a comparative study was made of the effects of sterilization by standard electrocoagulation and tubal ring application techniques. The two techniques were randomly assigned to 300 patients. Results show that standard electrocoagulation and tubal ring procedures can easily and safely be performed on an outpatient basis, using local anesthetics and analgesics. Rates of surgical complications for both techniques were clinically acceptable, although tubal risk patients had a higher rate. Pain during the procedure and during the immediate recovery period was more severe for tubal ring patients. Despite the higher incidence of surgical complications and pain associated with the ring, many physicians prefer this method of sterilization because it eliminates the possibility, inherent in electrocoagulation, of inadvertent serious electrical burns.     

Tubal anastomosis after tubal sterilization: a review

Purpose  

To evaluate various techniques for restoring tubal patency after sterilisation.