Women with overactive bladder are less sexually active

AORN Journal, August, 2004

Women who experience overactive bladder and express a high degree of bother as a result of urge urinary incontinence are less Likely to enjoy sexual activity and are less sexually active, according to a May 9, 2004, news release from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh. The study of 78 women diagnosed with overactive bladder also found that participants who experienced a significant amount of genital or abdominal pain were Less likely to enjoy sexual activity.

Study participants completed a questionnaire that evaluated the presence and degree of bother caused by symptoms of overactive bladder and another questionnaire that evaluated their sexual function. Researchers compared the answers on both questionnaires to reach their conclusions.

Overactive bladder is a condition in which the muscle surrounding the bladder contracts spastically causing frequent urination or incontinence. It affects more than 17 million Americans, half of whom are women. An estimated 80% of these patients do not seek help or treatment, possibly because there is still a stigma about talking to a physician about overactive bladder, according to the release.

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder Affect Sexual Activity of Women (news release, San Francisco: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, May 9, 2004). http:// newsbureau.upmc.com/Medsurg3/AUA2004FemDys.htm (accessed 26 May 2004).