Factors Influencing the Sexual Function of Women with Urinary Incontinence

Miok Kim

doi:10.4069/kjwhn.2013.19.2.108

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Kim: Factors Influencing the Sexual Function of Women with Urinary Incontinence

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2013; 19(2): 108-118.

Published online: 21 June 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2013.19.2.108

Factors Influencing the Sexual Function of Women with Urinary Incontinence

Miok Kim

Department of Nursing, Namseoul University, Cheonan, Korea.

Corresponding author: Kim, Miok. Department of Nursing, Namseoul University, 91 Daaehak-ro, Seonghwan-eup, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan 331-707, Korea. Tel: +82-41-580-2716, Fax: +82-41-580-2931, aprilsea@hanmail.net

Received 4 March 2013 Revised 24 May 2013 Accepted 28 May 2013

(open-access):

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

Sexual function involves a complex interaction of emotions, body image, and intact physical responses. The purpose of this study was to determine the sexual functioning of women who are incontinent and to identify associated factors.

Methods

For this descriptive correlation study, data were collected from 147 women with urinary incontinence. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression.

Results

Mean scores were 22.39 (sexual dysfunction ≤26.55) for sexual function, 13.38 (of 63) for depression, and 55.47 (range of score 17~85) for body image. Urinary symptoms and daily life symptoms averaged 36.04 (range of score 20~100) and 16.03 (range of score 8~40). Sexual function had a positive correlation with body image and negative correlation with daily life symptoms. Sexual satisfaction, daily life symptoms, marital satisfaction, and frequency of sexual intercourse were factors affecting sexual function.

Conclusion

Study results indicate that urinary incontinence has a negative impact on various aspects of sexual function. Nurses should be aware of the wider consideration that needs to be made in relation to general and sexual quality of life when caring for clients suffering from urological diseases.

Keywords: Urinary incontinence, Sexual dysfunction, Physiological

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Sexual Function according to General and Disease related Characteristics of Subjects (N=147)

Table 2

Sexual Function according to Sexual Life related Characteristics of Subjects (N=147)

Table 3

Sexual Function, Depression, Body Image, Urinary Symptoms, and Daily Life Problems of Subjects (N=147)

Table 4

Correlation between Sexual Function, Depression, Body Image, Urinary Symptoms, and Daily Life Problems (N=147)

Table 5

Regression Analysis of Influencing Factors on Sexual Function (N=147)

SI=sexual Intercourse; UI=urinary incontinence; Levels of sexual satisfaction ("Low")=1; Levels of marital satisfaction ("Low")=1; Discomfort during SI due to incontinence symptoms ("high")=1; Frequency of sexual intercourse ("below 1 time per month")=1; Experience with UI treatment ("No")=1.

Notes

This work was financially supported by the research fund of Namseoul University in 2013.

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