Predictors of vaginal laxity and sexual function in a multiethnic population: a cross-sectional study

• Grant number: 21/13700-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: December 23, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Gustavo Oliveira Brito
• Grantee: Glaucia Miranda Varella Pereira
• Supervisor: James Rufus Patrick Cartwright
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Imperial College London, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/26723-5 - Effect of fractional microablative radiofrequency and pelvic floor muscle training in the treatment of women with of vaginal laxity: randomized clinical trial, BP.DR

Abstract

Forty-one percent of women worldwide will experience a sexual problem at some point in their lives. Objective: To investigate the predictors of sexual dysfunction (SD) and their relationship with pelvic floor disorder (PFD) in a female multi-ethnic population. Methods: A cross-sectional study will be performed at Saint Mary's Hospital, London, and Urogynaecology Outpatient Clinic, Harrow, between July to December 2022. All women referred to clinical care at the Urogynecology Clinic will be included. Pregnant women, women who underwent pelvic surgery for PFD and unable to read and understand the English language will be excluded. Participants will undergo a vaginal exam to assess pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and pelvic floor muscle strength and will fill out questionnaires assessing sexual function, vaginal laxity, sexual behavior, sexual quality of life, vaginal symptoms, as well as, urinary and anal incontinence, POP, and acculturation related to sexual complaints. Sociodemographic and clinical data will be obtained from their medical records and/or before the vaginal examination. The primary and secondary outcomes will be the identification of the predictors of SD in a female multiethnic population and the PFD by physical examination and validated questionnaires, respectively.140 patients recruited will provide 80% power to detect a one standard deviation difference in Sexual Quality of Life-Female. Pearson or Spearman tests will be used for correlational analyses. Categorical variables will be analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. A significance level of 5% (p <0.05) will be adopted. (AU)