Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Dyspareunia in women, defined as persistent or recurrent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse, is hypothesized to be related to (fear associated) pelvic floor hyperactivity and to diminished sexual arousal. Psychophysiological research to support these hypotheses is scarce and concentrates mostly on the role of either pelvic floor activity or sexual arousal. To investigate both factors, a measurement device that enables simultaneous assessment of pelvic floor muscle activity and genital sexual arousal would be most optimal.
AIM
The aim of this study was to test a new vaginal device0-a vaginal photoplethysmograph with build-in surface electromyography (EMG)--that allows simultaneous assessment of pelvic floor muscle activity and vaginal blood flow.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Genital arousal measured as vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA) and vaginal surface EMG.
METHODS
Thirty-six sexually functional women participated. To investigate the sensitivity of the device for changes in genital blood flow and involuntary changes in pelvic floor activity, VPA and vaginal surface EMG were monitored during exposure to sexual and anxiety-evoking film clips. In addition, vaginal surface EMG was monitored during voluntary flick and hold contractions.
RESULTS
VPA increased in response to the sexual film, and EMG values were significantly higher in response to the anxiety-evoking film. Higher EMG values in response to the anxiety film were associated with lower VPA. EMG during the instructed 3-second hold pelvic floor contractions showed, as expected, higher values during pelvic floor contractions with support of surrounding muscle groups, compared with pelvic floor muscles alone.
CONCLUSION
The device is sensitive to changes in vaginal blood flow in response to sexual stimuli, and it is able to pick up small, involuntary changes in pelvic floor activity associated with anxiety. Also, the device is able to record changes in pelvic floor activity during voluntary pelvic floor contractions. This new device will be a valuable tool in further research on superficial dyspareunia.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Both S, van Lunsen R, Weijenborg P, Laan E

Institution

Department of Psychosomatic Gynecology and Sexology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands. s.both@lumc.nl

Source

The journal of sexual medicine 9:11 2012 Nov pg 2888-902

MeSH

Abdominal Muscles
Adult
Child
Child Abuse
Child Abuse, Sexual
Dyspareunia
Electromyography
Equipment Design
Fear
Female
Humans
Isometric Contraction
Pelvic Floor
Photoplethysmography
Pulsatile Flow
Regional Blood Flow
Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
Vagina
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22925559