Neuromodulation and female sexual function: does treatment for refractory voiding symptoms have an added benefit?

Women undergoing InterStim implantation for overactive bladder (OAB) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) were prospectively evaluated to determine if neuromodulation has any effect on female sexual function (FSF). Sexually active women in our InterStim database completed a female sexual function index (FSFI) preoperatively and at 6 months. Of 105 women, 54 have 6-month follow-up data. Of these, 27 were sexually active preoperatively and at follow-up. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) FSFI improved from 18.7 (6.8) preoperatively to 21.0 (6.0) postoperatively; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.220). Subgroup analysis of patients with OAB revealed that mean (SD) FSFI preoperatively was 18.6 (8.0) and 22.4 (6.4) at 6 months (p = 0.257). In the PBS group, mean (SD) FSFI was 18.8 (6.3) preoperatively and 18.7 (5.8) at 6 months (p = 0.98). Neuromodulation does not significantly improve FSF in a heterogenous population. Additional studies are needed to confirm the findings in our study.