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BMC Women's Health Jul 2023Dyspareunia is defined as the occurrence of pain during or after sexual intercourse, which directly affects physical, sexual, and mental health. This condition can lead... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Dyspareunia is defined as the occurrence of pain during or after sexual intercourse, which directly affects physical, sexual, and mental health. This condition can lead to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in women who experience it.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for the treatment of female dyspareunia.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.
METHOD
Search of publications was conducted in Scopus, Medline, Pubmed, Cinahl and Web of Science. Treatment effects were defined as standardized mean difference and their 95% confidence intervals. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Crohan's Q test and quantified using the I index.
RESULTS
Of the 19 articles selected, six applied multimodal physiotherapy treatments; five, electrotherapy; three, Thiele's massage; two, interdisciplinary interventions or pelvic floor muscle training; and one, extracorporeal shockwave therapy. The meta-analysis showed significant results for the variables pain and quality of life with the interventions based on electrotherapy and electrotherapy combined with pelvic floor muscle training. These interventions did not show significant results for the improvement of sexual function.
CONCLUSIONS
Physiotherapy techniques are effective and procedures have been identified with reliable results in improving pain and quality of life in patients with dyspareunia. One of the most important aspects is the strengthening of the perineal musculature and the application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Furthermore, manual trigger point release therapy and Thiele massage, optimize and guarantee the reduction of pain intensity.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
CRD42021236155.
Topics: Humans; Female; Dyspareunia; Quality of Life; Physical Therapy Modalities; Pain; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
PubMed: 37482613
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02532-8 -
Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology Nov 2021To develop a new endometriosis classification system for scoring intraoperative surgical complexity and to examine its correlation with patient-reported pain and...
STUDY OBJECTIVE
To develop a new endometriosis classification system for scoring intraoperative surgical complexity and to examine its correlation with patient-reported pain and infertility.
DESIGN
Multicenter study of patients treated at 3 recognized endometriosis centers.
SETTING
Three specialized endometriosis surgical centers in São Paulo, Brazil and Barcelona, Spain.
PATIENTS
Patients aged 15 to 45 years with histologically proven endometriosis and no history of pelvic malignancy underwent laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis.
INTERVENTIONS
Demographic data and clinical history, including dysmenorrhea, noncyclic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria and dyschezia, were prospectively recorded. All patients were staged surgically according to the new 2021 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) classification systems. The staging for each system was compared against a 4-level surgical complexity scale defined by the most complex procedure performed.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
A total of 1224 patients undergoing surgery met inclusion criteria. The AAGL score discriminated between 4 stages of surgical complexity with high reproducibility (κ = 0.621), whereas the ASRM score discriminated between the complexity stages with poor reproducibility (κ = 0.317). The AAGL staging system correlated with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, total pain score, and infertility comparably with the ASRM staging system.
CONCLUSION
The AAGL 2021 Endometriosis Classification allows for identifying objective intraoperative findings that reliably discriminate surgical complexity levels better than the ASRM staging system. The AAGL severity stage correlates comparably with pain and infertility symptoms with the ASRM stage.
Topics: Brazil; Dysmenorrhea; Dyspareunia; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Pelvic Pain; Reproducibility of Results; United States
PubMed: 34583009
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.09.709 -
BMJ Open Dec 2019Sexuality is an important aspect of human identity and contributes significantly to the quality of life in women as well as in men. Impairment in sexual health after...
OBJECTIVE
Sexuality is an important aspect of human identity and contributes significantly to the quality of life in women as well as in men. Impairment in sexual health after vaginal delivery is a major concern for many women. We aimed to examine the association between degree of perineal tear and sexual function 12 months postpartum.
DESIGN
A prospective cohort study SETTING: Four Danish hospitals between July 2015 and January 2019 PARTICIPANTS: A total of 554 primiparous women: 191 with no/labia/first-degree tears, 189 with second-degree tears and 174 with third-degree/fourth-degree tears. Baseline data were obtained 2 weeks postpartum by a questionnaire and a clinical examination. Sexual function was evaluated 12 months postpartum by an electronic questionnaire (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12)) and a clinical examination.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Total PISQ-12 score and dyspareunia RESULTS: Episiotomy was performed in 54 cases and 95 women had an operative vaginal delivery. The proportion of women with dyspareunia was 25%, 38% and 53% of women with no/labia/first-degree, second-degree or third-degree/fourth-degree tears, respectively.Compared with women with no/labia/first-degree tears, women with second-degree or third-degree/fourth-degree tears had a higher risk of dyspareunia (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 2.05; 95% CI 1.51 to 2.78 and aRR 2.09; 95% CI 1.55 to 2.81, respectively). Women with third-degree/fourth-degree tears had a higher mean PISQ-12 score (12.2) than women with no/labia/first-degree tears (10.4).
CONCLUSIONS
Impairment of sexual health is common among primiparous women after vaginal delivery. At 12 months postpartum, more than half of the women with a third-degree/fourth-degree tear experienced dyspareunia. Women delivering with no/labia/first-degree tears reported the best outcomes overall. Thus, it is important to minimise the extent of perineal trauma and to counsel about sexuality during and after pregnancy.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Case-Control Studies; Delivery, Obstetric; Dyspareunia; Female; Gynecological Examination; Humans; Lacerations; Perineum; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Sexual Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 31848167
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032368 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2023Apical vaginal prolapse is the descent of the uterus or vaginal vault (post-hysterectomy). Various surgical treatments are available, but there are no guidelines to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Apical vaginal prolapse is the descent of the uterus or vaginal vault (post-hysterectomy). Various surgical treatments are available, but there are no guidelines to recommend which is the best.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of any surgical intervention compared to another intervention for the management of apical vaginal prolapse.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group's Specialised Register of controlled trials, which contains trials identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP and handsearching of journals and conference proceedings and ClinicalTrials.gov (searched 14 March 2022).
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were awareness of prolapse, repeat surgery and recurrent prolapse (any site).
MAIN RESULTS
We included 59 RCTs (6705 women) comparing surgical procedures for apical vaginal prolapse. Evidence certainty ranged from very low to moderate. Limitations included imprecision, poor methodology, and inconsistency. Vaginal procedures compared to sacral colpopexy for vault prolapse (seven RCTs, n=613; six months to f four-year review) Awareness of prolapse was more common after vaginal procedures (risk ratio (RR) 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27 to 4.21, 4 RCTs, n = 346, I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). If 8% of women are aware of prolapse after sacral colpopexy, 18% (10% to 32%) are likely to be aware after vaginal procedures. Surgery for recurrent prolapse was more common after vaginal procedures (RR 2.33, 95% CI 1.34 to 4.04; 6 RCTs, n = 497, I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). The confidence interval suggests that if 6% of women require repeat prolapse surgery after sacral colpopexy, 14% (8% to 25%) are likely to require it after vaginal procedures. Prolapse on examination is probably more common after vaginal procedures (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.65; 5 RCTs, n = 422; I = 24%, moderate-certainty evidence). If 18% of women have recurrent prolapse after sacral colpopexy, between 23% and 47% are likely to do so after vaginal procedures. Other outcomes: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was more common after vaginal procedures (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.94; 3 RCTs, n = 263; I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). The effect of vaginal procedures on dyspareunia was uncertain (RR 3.44, 95% CI 0.61 to 19.53; 3 RCTs, n = 106, I = 65%, low-certainty evidence). Vaginal hysterectomy compared to sacral hysteropexy/cervicopexy (six RCTS, 554 women, one to seven year review) Awareness of prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.01 95% CI 0.10 to 9.98; 2 RCTs, n = 200, very low-certainty evidence). Surgery for recurrent prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.54; 5 RCTs, n = 403; I = 9%, low-certainty evidence). Prolapse on examination- there was little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.11; 2 RCTs n = 230; I = 9%, moderate-certainty evidence). Vaginal hysteropexy compared to sacral hysteropexy/cervicopexy (two RCTs, n = 388, 1-four-year review) Awareness of prolapse - No difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.55 95% CI 0.21 to 1.44; 1 RCT n = 257, low-certainty evidence). Surgery for recurrent prolapse - No difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.52 to 3.44; 2 RCTs, n = 345; I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). Prolapse on examination- There were little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.19; 2 RCTs n =367; I =9%, moderate-certainty evidence). Vaginal hysterectomy compared to vaginal hysteropexy (four RCTs, n = 620, 6 months to five-year review) Awareness of prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.0 95% CI 0.44 to 2.24; 2 RCTs, n = 365, I = 0% moderate-quality certainty evidence). Surgery for recurrent prolapse - There may be little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.67 to 2.60; 3 RCTs, n = 443; I = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). Prolapse on examination- There were little or no difference between the groups for this outcome (RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.61; 2 RCTs n =361; I =74%, low-certainty evidence). Other outcomes: Total vaginal length (TVL) was shorter after vaginal hysterectomy (mean difference (MD) 0.89cm 95% CI 0.49 to 1.28cm shorter; 3 RCTs, n=413, low-certainty evidence). There is probably little or no difference between the groups in terms of operating time, dyspareunia and stress urinary incontinence. Other analyses There were no differences identified for any of our primary review outcomes between different types of vaginal native tissue repair (4 RCTs), comparisons of graft materials for vaginal support (3 RCTs), pectopexy versus other apical suspensions (5 RCTs), continuous versus interrupted sutures at sacral colpopexy (2 RCTs), absorbable versus permanent sutures at apical suspensions (5 RCTs) or different routes of sacral colpopexy. Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy is associated with shorter admission time than open approach (3 RCTs) and quicker operating time than robotic approach (3 RCTs). Transvaginal mesh does not confer any advantage over native tissue repair, however is associated with a 17.5% rate of mesh exposure (7 RCTs).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Sacral colpopexy is associated with lower risk of awareness of prolapse, recurrent prolapse on examination, repeat surgery for prolapse, and postoperative SUI than a variety of vaginal interventions. The limited evidence does not support the use of transvaginal mesh compared to native tissue repair for apical vaginal prolapse. There were no differences in primary outcomes for different routes of sacral colpopexy. However, the laparoscopic approach is associated with a shorter operating time than robotic approach, and shorter admission than open approach. There were no significant differences between vaginal hysteropexy and vaginal hysterectomy for uterine prolapse nor between vaginal hysteropexy and abdominal hysteropexy/cervicopexy. There were no differences detected between absorbable and non absorbable sutures however, the certainty of evidence for mesh exposure and dyspareunia was low.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dyspareunia; Suspensions; Urinary Incontinence, Stress; Uterine Prolapse
PubMed: 37493538
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012376.pub2 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease, whose pivotal symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Besides the...
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease, whose pivotal symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Besides the usual medical treatments, recent evidence suggests there are potential benefits of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on endometriotic lesions and pain. The primary objective of this prospective single-cohort study was to confirm the effectiveness of NAC in reducing endometriosis-related pain and the size of ovarian endometriomas. The secondary objective was to assess if NAC may play a role in improving fertility and reducing the Ca125 serum levels.
METHODS
Patients aged between 18-45 years old with a clinical/histological diagnosis of endometriosis and no current hormonal treatment or pregnancy were included in the study. All patients received quarterly oral NAC 600 mg, 3 tablets/day for 3 consecutive days of the week for 3 months. At baseline and after 3 months, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and CPP were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale score (VAS), while the size of the endometriomas was estimated through a transvaginal ultrasound. Analgesics (NSAIDs) intake, the serum levels of Ca125 and the desire for pregnancy were also investigated. Finally, the pregnancy rate of patients with reproductive desire was evaluated.
RESULTS
One hundred and twenty patients were recruited. The intensity of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and CPP significantly improved ( < 0.0001). The use of NSAIDs ( = 0.001), the size of the endometriomas ( < 0.0001) and the serum levels of Ca125 ( < 0.0001) significantly decreased. Among the 52 patients with reproductive desire, 39 successfully achieved pregnancy within 6 months of starting therapy ( = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Oral NAC improves endometriosis-related pain and the size of endometriomas. Furthermore, it decreases Ca125 serum levels and may improve fertility in patients with endometriosis.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Endometriosis; Dysmenorrhea; Acetylcysteine; Dyspareunia; Prospective Studies; Cohort Studies; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Fertility
PubMed: 36981595
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064686 -
Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and... Oct 2023Natural childbirth is associated with the risk of damage to the perineum - a tears or a episiotomy. Adequate preparation of the woman for childbirth is essential to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Natural childbirth is associated with the risk of damage to the perineum - a tears or a episiotomy. Adequate preparation of the woman for childbirth is essential to minimize the occurrence of perinatal injuries.
AIM
The aim of the review is to assess and analyze the impact of APM (antental perineal massage) on perinatal perineal injuries and the development of pelvic pain and other complications in postpartum women, such as dyspareunia, urinary (UI), gas (GI), and fecal incontinence (FI).
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase were searched. Three authors independently searched databases and selected articles for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Next one author did Risk of Bias 2 and ROBINS 1 analyze.
FINDINGS
Of 711 articles, 18 publications were left for the review. All 18 studies examined the risk of perineal injuries (tearing and episiotomy), 7 pain in postpartum period, 6 postpartum urinary, gas/fecal incontinence and 2 described dyspareunia. Most authors described APM from 34 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. There were different techniques and times for doing APM procedures.
DISCUSSION
APM has many benefits for women during labor and the postpartum period (e.g. lower rate of perineal injuries and pain). However, it can be observed that individual publications differ from each other in the time of massage, the period and frequency of its performance, the form of obtaining instruction and control of patients. These components may affect the results obtained.
CONCLUSION
APM can protects the perineum from injuries during labor. It also reduces risk of fecal and gas incontinence in postpartum period.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Perineum; Fecal Incontinence; Dyspareunia; Parturition; Massage; Pelvic Pain; Urinary Incontinence
PubMed: 37414371
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2023.102627 -
Clinics in Dermatology 2022Female genitourinary treatments in aesthetics utilize energy-based treatments and other noninvasive modalities. These include CO and Erbium YAG lasers, radiofrequency,... (Review)
Review
Female genitourinary treatments in aesthetics utilize energy-based treatments and other noninvasive modalities. These include CO and Erbium YAG lasers, radiofrequency, high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy, hyaluronic acid injection, platelet-rich plasma, and silicone thread treatments with an objective to treat sexual dysfunction and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome associated with menopause, which include atrophic vaginitis, urinary incontinence, and vulvovaginal laxity that is characterized by vaginal dryness, thinning of the epithelium, laxity, prolapse, incontinence, dyspareunia, and increased bacterial infections. The body of evidence is growing for the use of these modalities to improve signs and symptoms of the genitourinary syndrome associated with menopause and sexual function, as well as for rejuvenating the appearance of the external female genitalia. We reviewed the currently available modalities in this rapidly advancing area of expertise.
Topics: Atrophy; Dyspareunia; Esthetics; Female; Humans; Lasers, Gas; Menopause; Syndrome; Vagina; Vaginal Diseases
PubMed: 34838658
DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.11.009 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Dec 2020The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of complementary treatment using self-applied electrotherapy treatment for pain control over the standard... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of complementary treatment using self-applied electrotherapy treatment for pain control over the standard hormonal treatment alone for deep infiltrative endometriosis (DIE).
STUDY DESIGN
Multicentre randomized clinical trial. We included a hundred-one participants with DIE in electrotherapy (n = 53) (hormonal treatment + electrotherapy) or control group (n = 48) (only hormonal treatment) by 8 weeks of follow-up. The primary measurement was chronic pelvic pain (CPP) using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and deep dyspareunia. The secondary outcomes were the quality of life by endometriosis health profile (EHP-30) and sexual function by female sexual function index (FSFI).
RESULTS
CPP relief was observed only in the electrotherapy group (pre:7.11 ± 2.40, post:4.55 ± 3.08, p < 0.001). In terms of deep dyspareunia, improvements were observed for both groups (electrotherapy pre:2.02 ± 0.54-1.36 ± 0.96, p < 0.001; control pre:1.95 ± 0.86-1.68 ± 0.82, p = 0.006). Considering the secondary outcomes, a higher total score post-treatment for the EHP-30 was noted in both groups. Regarding sexual function, there was a statistically significant improvement in the FSFI score for the electrotherapy group (p < 0.001), with an increase in the scores for lubrication and pain domains (p = 0.013 and p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Electrotherapy treatment using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation proved to be a good complementary option for pain control, showing benefits in the reduction of CPP and deep dyspareunia and improving patient's quality of life and sexual function.
Topics: Dyspareunia; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Pain Management; Pelvic Pain; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33129015
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.10.018 -
BMJ Case Reports Oct 2023We present the case of a woman in her late 20s who consulted our gynaecology emergency department due to dyspareunia and vaginal penetration issues. She had undergone a...
We present the case of a woman in her late 20s who consulted our gynaecology emergency department due to dyspareunia and vaginal penetration issues. She had undergone a 'virginity reconstruction' procedure 10 days before her wedding in Africa. Clinical examination revealed suture of the inferior part of inner labia (labia minora), narrowing of the vaginal introitus and abnormal vaginal discharge. We performed an inferior defibulation procedure and removed the sutures under general anaesthesia. Postoperative care included systemic metronidazole, counselling, vaginal dilators and topical estrogens for 1 month. There were no complications during the postoperative follow-up, and a month later, the woman confirmed a satisfactory outcome. The aim of this paper is to discuss the practice of so-called 'virginity reconstruction', currently classified among female cosmetic genital surgeries despite being very similar to what is defined as female genital mutilation, and the care that can be provided to women in such cases.
Topics: Female; Humans; Africa; Circumcision, Female; Dyspareunia; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; Vagina; Adult
PubMed: 37798043
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251008