Cross-sectional study.
Evaluate sexual activity and satisfaction in women with spinal cord disease (SCD) and their associations with urinary incontinence.
Outpatient neuro-urology clinics at a tertiary rehabilitation center in Brazil.
Ninety-eight women aged ≥18 years with traumatic or non-traumatic SCD were included. Clinical and demographic data were collected through structured interviews. Bladder symptoms were assessed with the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score-Short Form (NBSS-SF). Sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and sexual satisfaction with the WHOQOL-BREF. Sexual activity was defined as partnered sexual activity, with or without intercourse, within the prior six months. Logistic regression identified predictors of sexual activity and satisfaction.
Mean age was 42.9 (±12.1) years; most cases were non-traumatic (85.7%), mainly multiple sclerosis (55.9%). Urinary incontinence was reported by 52%, severe in 28.6%. Sexual activity was reported by 48 women (49.0%), of whom 58.3% had FSFI-defined dysfunction and 60.4% reported satisfaction. Incontinence was strongly associated with inactivity (72.5% vs. 27.5%, p < 0.001) and lower FSFI scores (16.2 (10.3) vs. 24.4 (9.1), p < 0.001). Urinary continence (OR 5.0, 95% CI, 1.7 to 14.4), younger age (OR 0.93/year, 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.98), and being married (OR 10.9, 95% CI, 3.6 to 33.3) predicted sexual activity and satisfaction.
Sexual dysfunction and UI were prevalent and interrelated in women with SCD. UI independently predicted inactivity and dissatisfaction.
Spinal cord. 2026 May 13 [Epub ahead of print]
Rachel Mazoni Costa, Manuela Horta, André Tunes de Paula, Taynna Ferreira Arantes da Costa, José de Bessa, William Carlos Nahas, Cristiano Mendes Gomes
Division of Urology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. ., Division of Urology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Department of Urology, Hospital Evangélico de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil., Division of Urology, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.