Impact of pelvic floor muscle strength on female sexual function: retrospective multicentric cross-sectional study

Introduction and hypothesis The female pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in sexual function. We hypothesize that there is a relation between PFM strength and sexual function in women with and without sexual dysfunction. Methods Retrospective multicentric cross-sectional study including women with and without sexual dysfunction [Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) cutoff point < 26.55], analyzed by age range, considering demographic, clinical, anthropometric and PFM strength [Modified Oxford Scale (MOS)] data. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney test and linear regression (ranks) were used, with 5% significance (SAS 9.4). Results Out of 1013 medical records, 982 women with an average age of 45.76 (± 15.25) were included in the study. Of these, 679 (69.14%) presented FSFI score < 26.55, while 303 (30.86%) presented FSFI ≥ 26.55. It was identified that the higher scores were among white women, < 45 years old, single, with higher education, family income > 4 minimum wages, body mass index < 25 kg/m 2 , lower parity, regular physical activity practitioner and higher PFM strength (MOS: 4–5). Desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasm domains were higher among women with MOS 4–5, while satisfaction and pain domains were higher among those with MOS 3–5. Conclusion Demographic, clinical and anthropometric conditions can influence both PFM strength and female sexual function. Our findings demonstrate that women with higher PFM strength present fewer complaints about sexual dysfunction.