Pelvic pain, sexual distress and satisfaction: cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Pelvic pain significantly increases sexual distress and reduces sexual satisfaction in women.

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the factors that influence women's pelvic pain, sexual distress, and satisfaction.

Methods: This research was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was conducted between June and November 2024. The study has been completed with a total of 395 women.

Outcomes: The data collection forms used in the study were the Personal Information Form, the Pelvic Pain Impact Questionnaire (PPIQ), the Female Sexual Distress Scale-R (FSDS-R) and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS).

Results: The mean scores of the PPIQ, FSDS-R, and NSSS scales for women were 9.48 ± 8.27 (min = 0, max = 32), 22.94 ± 10.35 (min = 13, max = 65) and 74.20 ± 18.53 (min = 20, max = 100), respectively.A significant positive relationship was observed between participants' total PPIQ scores and total FSDS-R scores (r = 0.418, P < 0.001), while a significant negative relationship was identified between participants' total PPIQ scores and both total NSSS scores (r = -0.247, P < 0.001) and its sub-dimension scores.

Clinical implications: Healthcare professionals should ask women about pelvic pain during routine examinations, as it is associated with other problems in their lives and should be carefully assessed, supported by a multidisciplinary approach if necessary.

Strengths and limitations: As the data of the study was collected online, it is limited to the women who filled in the data collection forms and cannot be generalized to the universe. However, as this study deals with issues of sexuality, the use of online data collection in a conservative society allowed participants to express their thoughts more freely.

Conclusion: The study revealed a positive correlation between participants' sexual distress and their level of pelvic pain, and a negative correlation between pelvic pain and sexual satisfaction, with women experiencing pelvic pain reporting higher levels of sexual distress and lower levels of sexual satisfaction.