Pelvic floor muscle strength is correlated with sexual function
Dulcegleika Villas Boas Sartori, Paulo Roberto Kawano, Hamilto Yamamoto, Rodrigo Guerra, Pedro Pajolli, João Luiz Amaro
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sexual performance is related to proprioception and pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS). The aim of this study was to correlate sexual activity and orgasm with PFMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 healthy continent female were prospectively distributed into 4 groups according to age: Group 1 (G1), 30-40; Group 2 (G2), 41-50; Group 3 (G3), 51-60; Group 4 (G4), over 60 years old. Evaluated parameters were: frequency of sexual activity and orgasm achievement; body mass index (BMI) and objective evaluation of PFMS using perineometer and surface electromyography. RESULTS: BMI was higher in G4 compared to G1 (p=0.042). Women who reported sexual activity was significantly higher in G1 compared to G3 and G4 (94.1% vs. 66.7% and 37.5%, respectively; p=0.001). Orgasm was more frequently in G1 compared to G3 and G4 (91.2% vs. 63.9% and 28.1%, respectively; p=0.001), demonstrating that sexual activity and orgasm decrease after age 51. The duration of PFM contraction was significantly higher in women who had sexual intercourse (p=0.033) and orgasm (p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm may decrease with aging, a relationship between sexual activity and PFMS remains apparent, once both sexually active women and those who have orgasms showed better PFM endurance than non-sexually active ones.