International Journal of Infertility & Fetal Medicine

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VOLUME 14 , ISSUE 2 ( May-August, 2023 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Spinal Anesthesia-facilitated Sexual Intercourse as a Treatment Option for Refractory Vaginismus and its Effect on Female Sexual Dysfunction, Penetration Cognition, and Coital Pain

Rubina Izhar, Suhaima Tahir, Zubaida Masood

Keywords : Female sexual function, Spinal anesthesia, Vaginismus

Citation Information : Izhar R, Tahir S, Masood Z. Spinal Anesthesia-facilitated Sexual Intercourse as a Treatment Option for Refractory Vaginismus and its Effect on Female Sexual Dysfunction, Penetration Cognition, and Coital Pain. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2023; 14 (2):65-69.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10016-1309

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 12-05-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of spinal anesthesia facilitated sexual intercourse under controlled conditions in couples with vaginismus and its effect on female sexual function, penetration cognition, and pain. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out from January 2017 to December 2019. For this study, we included women who had been married for 2 years but had not consummated their marriage due to vaginismus. The primary outcome measure in this study was successful sexual intercourse. Secondary measures included improvement in female sexual function, penetration cognition, and pain. Results: During the study period, 10 couples satisfied the inclusion criteria. Vaginismus continued in only one couple at the 12-month follow-up. The sexual function changed significantly (p = 0.005). Penetration cognition score domains improved significantly at follow-up. The pain for tampon insertion score dropped significantly from 9.20 (8.0–10.0) to 5.20 (4.00–7.00), p = 0.005 on the first follow-up. The coital pain had a significant drop from the initial score of 9.20 (8.0–10.0) to 2.1 (1.00–3.00), p = 0.004. Five out of the 10 couples were pregnant at the final follow-up, and three delivered vaginally. Conclusion: Our comparative study shows that spinal anesthesia can be used as a last resort management option in women suffering from vaginismus.


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