A Questionnaire Study of Sexological Problems Following Urinary Diversion in the Female Patient

Abstract

A questionnaire study was conducted to evaluate the sexological problems after urinary diversion, using the continent Kock reservoir or the ileal conduit diversion. Thirty-seven female patients completed the questionnaire: 17 patients had a continent and 20 an ileal conduit diversion, with a median follow-up of 0.8 year (range 0.5–4.4) and 4.6 years (range 2.8–12.0), respectively. Data from only 33 patients were eligible for analysis, but no significant between-group differences were found. Coital frequency remained unchanged or increased among 44% of patients with a continent reservoir and among 18% of ileal conduit patients (p = 0.11). Among those reporting other than unchanged/increased activity almost one-third gave physical problems or decreased desire as the reason, and 30% felt less sexually attractive, with cystectomized patients reporting a higher percentage than others. A higher frequency of dyspareunia among patients with a continent reservoir was an unexpected finding (p = 0.06), and merits further investigation in a larger sample. Here it may be due to the shorter follow-up of these patients. Thirty per cent of all patients would have like more sexological counselling.

Key Words:

• urinary diversion
• sexological problems
• female
• coitus