The effects of urinary incontinence on quality of life and sexual function in women of reproductive age

Abstract

Aims: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition in women and might affect women’s physical and psychological health in different aspects. This study evaluated the effects of UI on the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function in women of reproductive age. Methods: In this prospective case-control study, sexually active and premenopausal women who were admitted to the urogynecology outpatient clinic of our hospital with UI were included. Women without UI complaints were selected for the control group. All the women were asked to fill the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12). Results: There were 64 women [median age: 42 (12)] in the UI group and 58 women [median age: 40 (11)] in the control group. Although the median age was similar in the two groups, the UI group had significantly more gravidas [3 (1) vs. 2 (1); p<0.00] and parity [2.5 (1) vs. 2 (1); p<0.001], body mass index [27.9 (7.2) vs. 24.9 (5.1); p=0.002], and Pelvic Organ Prolapse- Quantification [0 (0) vs. 0 (0); p=0.03] levels. The most common UI type was mixed UI (64.1%) followed by the stress (20.3%) and urge UI (15.6%). The UI group had significantly higher scores in both the subscale and total scores in IIQ-7 and UDI-6 questionnaires (p<0.001). For the PSIQ-12 questionnaire, the behavioral-emotive subscale did not differ between the two groups, while physical and partner subscales and the total score were significantly lower in the UI group (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that UI had a negative impact on QoL and sexual function in women of reproductive age. Sexual dysfunction occurs mainly on physical and partner-related issues.