Changes in sexual function and vaginal topography using transperineal ultrasound after vaginal laser treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence

Cheng-Yu Long, Pei-Chi Wu, Hung-Sheng Chen, Kun-Ling Lin, Zixi Loo, Yiyin Liu, Chin-Hu Wu, Cheng-Yu Long, Pei-Chi Wu, Hung-Sheng Chen, Kun-Ling Lin, Zixi Loo, Yiyin Liu, Chin-Hu Wu

Abstract

We aim to assess the changes in sexual function and vaginal topography using 3-D transperineal ultrasound in stress-incontinent women treated with Er:YAG vaginal laser. Two hundred and twenty women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treated with Er:YAG laser were recruited. Assessment before and 6 months after the treatment included vaginal topography using 3-D transperineal ultrasound and sexual function using female sexual function index questionnaire (FSFI). A total of 50 women with complete data showed that the symptomatic improvement was noted in 37 (74%) women. After Er:YAG vaginal laser treatment, significantly decreased width and cross-sectional area in proximal, middle, and distal vagina were found in women with SUI. Nearly all of the domains of FSFI improved significantly after the vaginal laser treatment, except sexual desire. In conclusion, 3-D transperineal ultrasound can be used to conduct vaginal topography. After Er:YAG vaginal laser treatment, the anatomical changes of vaginal shrinkage and the improvement of female sexual function were both noted. The favorable outcome of sexual function partly related to the tightening of vagina, as evidenced by the measurements of the 3-D transperineal ultrasound.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

© 2022. The Author(s).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The measurement of vaginal topography via transperineal ultrasound. A convex probe was placed over perineum. The measurement was done on the midsagittal plane. Mode of rendered volume was obtained on relax without pelvic muscle contraction to obtained an axial plane of pelvis over the panel (C) in (A). The vagina was recognized as hypoechoic area between urethra and anal canal in genital hiatus. Vaginal width (the red line in B) and cross-sectional area of vagina (the red-marked area in C) were measured at level of proximal, middle and distal part of vagina.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The sequential images of vaginal width and area of a same patient before and after treatment at different levels of vagina.

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