The Impact of Hemorrhoidectomy on Sexual Function in Women: A Preliminary Study
The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of sexual problems in post-hemorrhoidectomy females. The study consisted of a surgical group and a control group of women between the ages of 22 and 74 years, 39 with and 39 without hemorrhoidectomy. Female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The level of sexual function was calculated for each domain and compared across domains and demographic variables for each group. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the post-hemorrhoidectomy participants was 48.7% (19/39) and among the healthy women 7.7% (3/39). The average FSFI score was significantly lower in the surgical group (46.38±28.13) than in the control group (65.69±18.48) (P=0.001). All the FSFI domain scores, with the exception of the desire domain, were significantly lower for the surgical group relative to the healthy group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that group (P=0.001) and age (P=0.013) were predictors of problems in female sexual functioning. This preliminary study shows that women who have had a hemorrhoidectomy are at higher risk of sexual function problems. The sexual function of women with hemorrhoidectomy should be evaluated to provide them with a better quality of life.
The prevalence of sexual problems in patients who have had pelvic or pelvic floor surgery is significantly greater than in the general population. However, the role of the pelvic floor in sexual function has not been fully elucidated. Despite the fact that the anus is a part of the pelvic floor structure, the clinical attention given to sexual problems in hemorrhoidectomy patients has been negligible. Moreover, women who have had a hemorrhoidectomy may have a variety of symptoms that decrease sexual function but that do not necessarily add up to sexual dysfunction. It is important to understand the changes that can occur as a result of this surgical procedure, ranging from degrees of reduced sexual function to sexual dysfunction.
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common functional disorders of the anus and source of perianal complaints, affecting millions of people all over the world. Internal hemorrhoids prolapsed three to four degrees are the main indication for hemorrhoidectomy. The procedure involves excising the hemorrhoid prolapse, repositioning the mucosa or anal canal tissue, and reducing blood flow to the internal hemorrhoids. This procedure, when conducted below the dentate line, may affect many sensitive nerve endings and create tight and thin layers of anoderm, leading to any number of complications. Discomfort and problems in sexual functioning seem to be more common in women than in men, most likely because the female perianal area is between the anus and vagina. Conditions related to pelvic floor dysfunction, such as pelvic pain, are correlated with sexual dysfunction. Yet, studies on female sexual function post-hemorrhoidectomy are rare.
The prevalence of female sexual problems varies in reports from 3 to 58%. Laumann et al. reported that 43% of American women complain of having at least one sexual problem. There is some evidence that older age, lower educational level, unemployment, chronic disease and surgical experience are important risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Kuo et al. also found that surgical experience negatively correlated with sexual function among women, whereas Berman et al. determined that female sexual function may be adversely affected by surgical intervention.
To our knowledge, few studies have looked into assessing post-hemorrhoidectomy sexual function in women. Therefore, in the present cross-sectional study, we analyzed the prevalence of problems in sexual functioning among women who had had a hemorrhoidectomy. Some of the literature has suggested that diagnostic frameworks that rely on direct physical measurement of sexual dysfunction are not very reliable, which has led to the use of self-report scales. These inventories have become indispensable tools in clinical and research programs, which is why we relied on a self-report questionnaire for this study. We also explored whether any demographic variables were associated with sexual functioning among women post-hemorrhoidectomy.
Aim. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of sexual problems in women post-hemorrhoidectomy.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of sexual problems in post-hemorrhoidectomy females. The study consisted of a surgical group and a control group of women between the ages of 22 and 74 years, 39 with and 39 without hemorrhoidectomy. Female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The level of sexual function was calculated for each domain and compared across domains and demographic variables for each group. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the post-hemorrhoidectomy participants was 48.7% (19/39) and among the healthy women 7.7% (3/39). The average FSFI score was significantly lower in the surgical group (46.38±28.13) than in the control group (65.69±18.48) (P=0.001). All the FSFI domain scores, with the exception of the desire domain, were significantly lower for the surgical group relative to the healthy group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that group (P=0.001) and age (P=0.013) were predictors of problems in female sexual functioning. This preliminary study shows that women who have had a hemorrhoidectomy are at higher risk of sexual function problems. The sexual function of women with hemorrhoidectomy should be evaluated to provide them with a better quality of life.
Introduction
The prevalence of sexual problems in patients who have had pelvic or pelvic floor surgery is significantly greater than in the general population. However, the role of the pelvic floor in sexual function has not been fully elucidated. Despite the fact that the anus is a part of the pelvic floor structure, the clinical attention given to sexual problems in hemorrhoidectomy patients has been negligible. Moreover, women who have had a hemorrhoidectomy may have a variety of symptoms that decrease sexual function but that do not necessarily add up to sexual dysfunction. It is important to understand the changes that can occur as a result of this surgical procedure, ranging from degrees of reduced sexual function to sexual dysfunction.
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common functional disorders of the anus and source of perianal complaints, affecting millions of people all over the world. Internal hemorrhoids prolapsed three to four degrees are the main indication for hemorrhoidectomy. The procedure involves excising the hemorrhoid prolapse, repositioning the mucosa or anal canal tissue, and reducing blood flow to the internal hemorrhoids. This procedure, when conducted below the dentate line, may affect many sensitive nerve endings and create tight and thin layers of anoderm, leading to any number of complications. Discomfort and problems in sexual functioning seem to be more common in women than in men, most likely because the female perianal area is between the anus and vagina. Conditions related to pelvic floor dysfunction, such as pelvic pain, are correlated with sexual dysfunction. Yet, studies on female sexual function post-hemorrhoidectomy are rare.
The prevalence of female sexual problems varies in reports from 3 to 58%. Laumann et al. reported that 43% of American women complain of having at least one sexual problem. There is some evidence that older age, lower educational level, unemployment, chronic disease and surgical experience are important risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Kuo et al. also found that surgical experience negatively correlated with sexual function among women, whereas Berman et al. determined that female sexual function may be adversely affected by surgical intervention.
To our knowledge, few studies have looked into assessing post-hemorrhoidectomy sexual function in women. Therefore, in the present cross-sectional study, we analyzed the prevalence of problems in sexual functioning among women who had had a hemorrhoidectomy. Some of the literature has suggested that diagnostic frameworks that rely on direct physical measurement of sexual dysfunction are not very reliable, which has led to the use of self-report scales. These inventories have become indispensable tools in clinical and research programs, which is why we relied on a self-report questionnaire for this study. We also explored whether any demographic variables were associated with sexual functioning among women post-hemorrhoidectomy.
The Study
Aim. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of sexual problems in women post-hemorrhoidectomy.
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