Female Pelvic Floor Disorders and Sexual Functions

描述(申请人提供)：盆底疾病(PFDs)，包括尿失禁、大便失禁和盆腔器官脱垂，影响三分之一的成年女性。这些情况对生活质量有深远的影响，导致不适、尴尬和功能限制。此外，高达50%的患有性功能障碍的女性报告有性功能问题。然而，尚不清楚患有人格障碍的妇女的性投诉是由于人格障碍还是其他因素(即关系冲突或共病情况)。直到最近，由于缺乏评估女性性功能障碍(FSD)和性功能障碍的调查工具，这一主题的研究一直受到阻碍。 我们的研究目的是探讨PFDs对女性性功能的影响。我们假设，性功能障碍与性功能障碍是独立相关的，成功的性功能障碍治疗将恢复性功能。我们提出了两个具体目标：(1)使用经过验证的工具，我们将确定PFDs(尿失禁、大便失禁和盆腔器官脱垂)是否与性主诉和性功能障碍独立相关；(2)在接受盆腔肌肉理疗治疗的尿失禁或大便失禁女性中，我们将确定大小便失禁的改善是否与性功能的改善有关。 NICHD高度重视增加对人类性行为的了解的研究，包括疾病或残疾的影响。 这项建议将提高我们对患有性功能障碍女性的性功能的理解。它还将作为进一步研究非手术和手术干预对患有性功能障碍的妇女性功能的影响的基础。拟议的研究将为候选人提供宝贵的研究培训和经验。获奖期间的职业发展将包括在彭博公共卫生学院接受流行病学、生物统计学和临床试验设计方面的正式培训。约翰霍普金斯大学的环境为临床研究和经验丰富的科学家的指导提供了强大的基础设施。这一强大的组合将为候选人提供必要的技能和经验，以成为一名成功的、独立资助的调查人员。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, affect one-third of adult women. These conditions have a profound affect on quality-of-life, resulting in discomfort, embarrassment and functional limitations. In addition, up to 50% of women with PFDs report a problem with sexual function. However, it is unclear whether the sexual complaints of women with PFDs are attributable to PFDs or to other factors (i.e., relationship conflict or co-morbid conditions). Until recently, research on this subject has been hampered by the lack of survey instruments to assess female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and PFDs. Our research objective is to investigate the impact of PFDs on female sexual function. We hypothesize that PFDs are independently associated with FSD and that successful treatment of PFDs will restore sexual function. We propose two specific aims: (1) Using validated instruments, we will determine whether PFDs (urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse) are independently associated with sexual complaints and sexual dysfunction; and (2) among women with urinary or fecal incontinence treated with pelvic muscle physiotherapy, we will determine whether improvement in continence is associated with improvement in sexual function. The NICHD has given high priority to research that increases knowledge about human sexuality, including the impact of illness or disability. This proposal will improve our understanding of sexual function in women with PFDs. It will also serve as a foundation for further research on the impact of non-surgical and surgical interventions on the sexual function of women with PFDs. The proposed research will provide valuable research training and experience for the candidate. Career development during the award will include formal training in epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical trial design at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. The environment at Johns Hopkins provides a strong infrastructure for clinical research and mentorship by experienced scientists. This powerful combination will provide the candidate with the necessary skills and experience to become a successful, independently funded investigator.