The Effect of Transobturator Tape Surgery on Female Sexual Functions: A Systematic Review

Objective: Stress urinary incontinence is one of the diseases that change the quality of life of women. Although there are various medical and surgical treatment modalities exist, transobturator tape surgery is one of the current options with the least complication rates. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate sexual functional results after the transobturator tape procedure. study design: Data were taken from those cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies that were done with human subjects in full texts, were written in the English language. Results: A total of 24 clinical trials were evaluated. The most frequently administered scales were the female sexual function index and The Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire -12. In total, 8 clinical studies employed female sexual function index whereas 8 clinical studies administered Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire -12. 4 of these studies tried to understand women’s sexual functions through questions determined by the researchers (N/A). 2 of the other studies used the Sexual Impact Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale, 1 study used Nine Questions on Sexual Functioning (NSF-9) and 1 study used International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Vaginal Symptoms Module (ICIQ-VS). It was found that transobturator tape surgery that is performed for incontinence produces positive results on both sexual functions and urinary functions. Conclusion: Maintaining urinary continence is detected to directly be correlated with sexual functions. It is of high importance that before initiating surgical treatments, clinicians should give the patients a detailed medical examination in terms of both urinary and sexual functions.