Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41317300›Full record

ArticleInternational urogynecology journal2026

Comparison of Pelvic Floor Muscle Function Between Sexually Active and Sexually Inactive Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Letícia A Ferreira, Fátima F Fitz, Mariana A Cruz, Márcia M Gimenez, Mayanni M P Matias, Maria A T Bortolini, Rodrigo A Castro

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in International urogynecology journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Letícia A FerreiraDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil.
Fátima F FitzDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil.
Mariana A CruzDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil.
Márcia M GimenezDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil.
Mayanni M P MatiasDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil.
Maria A T BortoliniDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil. maria.augusta@gmail.com.
Rodrigo A CastroDepartment of Gynaecology, Sector of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 608-Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04024-002, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisSexual performance is influenced by pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function. The hypothesis is that sexually active women with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) would have better PFM function compared with sexually inactive women. This study was aimed at comparing PFM function between sexually active and inactive women with PFD.

methodsThis retrospective, cross-sectional study included women over 18 years of age diagnosed with PFD, divided into two groups based on sexual activity, as determined by a structured questionnaire. PFM function was assessed via bidigital palpation using the Power, Endurance, Repetitions, Fast contractions, and Every Contraction Timed scheme. Mann-Whitney, likelihood ratio tests, post hoc power and multivariate regression analyses were conducted, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

resultsA total of 229 charts were analyzed (117 sexually active, 112 sexually inactive women). Sexually active women demonstrated significantly better PFM function in terms of strength (p < 0.001), endurance (p < 0.001), and fast contractions (p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed an overall study power of 0.93. Sexually active women had a fivefold greater chance of presenting better muscle function (OR 5.04; IC 95% 2.6-9.6, p < 0.001), longer endurance (+3.5; IC 95% 2.1-4.9; p<0.001) and a higher number of fast contractions (+1.2; IC 95% 0.56-1.84; p < 0.001). Increasing age reduces the PFM strength (p = 0.029), muscular endurance (p = 0.008), and fast contractions (p = 0.054). Menopause status reduces muscular endurance in 1.8 s (p = 0.005) and increase fast contractions in 0.8 (p = 0.021). Marital status and urinary incontinence were not associated with PFM function.

conclusionsSexually active women with PFD exhibit superior pelvic floor muscle function compared with sexually inactive women.

Indexed as

Pelvic FloorPelvic Floor DisordersSexual BehaviorAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMiddle AgedMuscle ContractionMuscle StrengthRetrospective StudiesFemale sexual healthPelvic floor dysfunctionsPelvic floor musclesPhysical therapySexual dysfunction

Identifiers

PMID41317300

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.