Volume 30, Issue 10 pp. 860-865
Original Article

Female sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms: Results of the GENJA study

Yumi Ozaki

Corresponding Author

Yumi Ozaki

Department of Urology, Tokai Central Hospital, Gifu, Japan

Correspondence

Yumi Ozaki M.D., Ph.D., Department of Urology, Tokai Central Hospital, 4-6-2 Soharahigashijimacho, Kakamigahara, Gifu 504-8601, Japan.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
Hikaru Tomoe

Hikaru Tomoe

Department of Urology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Adachi Medical Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Mayuka Shimomura

Mayuka Shimomura

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Noriko Ninomiya

Noriko Ninomiya

Ninomiya Ladies Clinic, Osaka, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Yuki Sekiguchi

Yuki Sekiguchi

Yokohama Motomachi Women's Clinic LUNA, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Yoshikazu Sato

Yoshikazu Sato

Department of Urology, Sanjukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Koichi Nagao

Koichi Nagao

Department of Urology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Yoshimitsu Takahashi

Yoshimitsu Takahashi

Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
Satoru Takahashi

Satoru Takahashi

Department of Urology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 07 June 2023
Citations: 1

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the main symptoms of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) symptoms as the core symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Methods

We extracted the data of 4134 Japanese women aged 40–79 years who participated in the GENitourinary syndrome of menopause in JApanese women (GENJA) study. All participants responded to web-based questionnaires assessing their health situation, including the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score. Multivariable regression and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze the association between VVA symptoms and FSD, and between VVA symptoms and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Results

Multivariable regression analysis revealed that VVA symptoms were associated with lower scores for arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains in the FSFI in sexually active women (p < 0.01). Regression coefficients were higher for lubrication and pain domains than for the other domains. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that women reporting VVA symptoms were more likely to have increased daytime urinary frequency, nocturia, urgency, slow stream, straining to void, feeling of incomplete emptying, bladder pain, and feeling a bulge/lump from or in the vagina (p < 0.05). Adjusted odds ratios were particularly high for straining to void, feeling of incomplete emptying, and bladder pain.

Conclusions

Vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms were significantly associated with decreased lubrication and dyspareunia in FSD, and urinary symptoms of straining to void, feeling of incomplete emptying, and bladder pain.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.