Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in women with multiple sclerosis.
Objective: To investigate the impact of LUTS on pelvic floor muscle contraction, sexual function, and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis.
Methods: Thirty-nine women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were enrolled in this study. Participants were divided into the presence or not of LUTS. Assessments involved the Expanded Disability Status Scale score, the NEW PERFECT scheme, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Qualiveen Questionnaire. Statistical procedures involved Student t-tests, chi-squared, and regression analyses (R2).
Results: Nineteen women (48.7%) presented LUTS. Women with LUTS were in a more advanced stage of multiple sclerosis (p = .029), presented weaker pelvic muscle contraction (p = .009), less sexual function satisfaction (p = .018), and more limitations in the quality of life (p = .001) than women without LUTS. Regression analyses pointed out that the quality of life and sexual function of women with multiple sclerosis are affected by intercourse pain (R2 = 12.9) and perineal contraction force (R2 = 19.2).
Conclusion: LUTS affects pelvic floor muscle contraction, sexual function, and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis. A multi-professional rehabilitation team should assist women with multiple sclerosis, taking special care of LUTS.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; lower urinary tract symptoms; pelvic floor; quality of life; sexuality.