The Effect of Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection on Women Sexual Function in Overactive Bladder Treatment: Observational Study

Objective: To investigate the effect of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injection on female sexual function in women with overactive bladder (OAB) and to evaluate its relationship with OAB symptoms. Material and Methods: Data from 56 patients with idiopathic OAB and who were resistant to medical therapy between January 2018 and July 2019 were evaluated. The patients were evaluated with an overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and female sexual function index (FSFI) before and after 100 IU Botox treatment. The changes in the symptom scores of the patients and the FSFI scores were compared. Results: A total of 38 patients completed the study. The mean age of the patients was 41.59±11.79 (31-56), and the mean body mass index was 30.02±4.77 kg/m2. Mean duration of complaints was 48,93±45,32 months and mean number of pads daily used was 3,92±2,39. For the treatment of idiopathic OAB, 100IU Botox application to each patient was performed in 20 regions. Significant improvement was observed in the OABSS scores of the patients 12 weeks after treatment (10.32±3.01 to 4.68±2.21; p<0.001). When the FSFI scores were examined, a significant improvement was observed in the FSFI-desire, arousal, satisfaction, and pain subgroups and total FSFI score 12 weeks after the procedure. In the post-treatment evaluation, 94.73% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment. Urinary retention occurred in two patients. Conclusion: As a result of our study, intravesical botox injections have been shown to improve sexual function in women with OAB. More extensive studies are needed to better evaluate the effects of botox injection on sexual functions.