Sexual function and help seeking for urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition, especially in middle-aged and older women. UI is known to affect sexual function. Many women with UI do not consult a doctor about their condition. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of sexual function and help seeking in postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence. This cross-sectional correlation study took place from March to May 2012. The subjects were selected by a clustered sampling method from various zones of Rasht (North of Iran). The data were collected using personal data forms, Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis, Incontinence Severity Index, and Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS17 at the significant level of P < .05 and then were compared by parametric and nonparametric tests. A total of 313 menopausal women aged 45 to 60 years (mean 52.9) were recruited for the study. The mean sexual function score was 31.07 ± 7.52. Only 27.3% of subjects seek care for urinary incontinence. There was a significant correlation between sexual function and help seeking. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant correlation between sexual function and help seeking in postmenopausal women who participated in the present study. Health-care professionals should pay more attention to sexual symptoms of UI and make patients aware of available treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• Help seeking
• menopause
• sexual function
• urinary incontinence

Acknowledgments

We thank the Research Deputy of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for providing facilities. We wish to thank the staff of Gilan University of Medical Science who kindly participated in this study.

Funding

The Research Deputy of Tehran University of Medical Sciences provided financial support. This study was part of an MS dissertation supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (grant No: 15500).

Additional information

Funding

The Research Deputy of Tehran University of Medical Sciences provided financial support. This study was part of an MS dissertation supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (grant No: 15500).