Effects of sensate focus technique and position changing on sexual function of women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis after surgery: A clinical trial study

Parisa Tajik; Shadab Shahali; Roya Padmehr

doi:10.18502/ijrm.v21i6.13638

Effects of sensate focus technique and position changing on sexual function of women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis after surgery: A clinical trial study

Int J Reprod Biomed. 2023 Jul 24;21(6):509-520. doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v21i6.13638. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Parisa Tajik¹, Shadab Shahali¹, Roya Padmehr²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
² Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a disease that affects women throughout their sexual life. Sexual health is, therefore, a major concern for these women.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of the sensate focus technique and position changing on the sexual function of women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis 3-6 months after surgery.

Materials and methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 80 women with deep endometriosis, aged 18-45 yr, who were referred to the endometriosis clinic of Avicenna fertility center, Tehran, Iran for follow-up after surgery from January to September 2021. They were divided randomly into 2 groups. In the intervention group, 2-hr virtual training sessions were held and the control group only completed the questionnaires without any intervention. Sexual function was evaluated after 4 and 8 wk.

Results: 8 wk after the intervention, the mean score of sexual function in the intervention group was significantly improved (p $<$ 0.001). The mean total score of sexual function in the pre-intervention period reached from 24.16 to 28.31 in 4 wk after the intervention and 29.85, 8 wk after the intervention. The mean score of sexual pain during the follow-up periods was significantly improved in the intervention group (p $<$ 0.001).

Conclusion: Sensate focus technique and sexual position changing improved sexual function in women with deep endometriosis after surgery.

Keywords: Dyspareunia.; Sexual dysfunction; Endometriosis.