Vibrator use beneficial in women with sexual dysfunction, pelvic floor disorders

An intervention that incorporates scheduled vibrator use with an educational handout helps improve outcomes in women with sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor disorders, as shown in a randomized controlled trial.

A total of 84 women with sexual dysfunction and a pelvic floor disorder diagnosis participated in the trial. These women were randomly assigned to receive a vibrator approved by the US FDA plus an educational handout (vibrator group) or an educational handout alone (handout group). The vibrator was scheduled to be used three times weekly for 8 weeks.

The primary outcome was sexual function, as measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Secondary outcomes included Sexual Satisfaction Index, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20, Female Genitourinary Pain Index (F-GUPI), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Of the participants, 81 (mean age 57.9 years) completed the study, including 40 in the vibrator group and 41 in the handout group. At week 8, FSFI total scores were significantly higher in the vibrator group vs the handout group (mean, 22.2 vs 16.3; p=0.002), with improvements documented across arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains (p<0.05 for all).

Sexual function improved in both groups, although the vibrator group showed greater improvement in mean FSFI total scores (8.8 vs 4.9 points; mean difference, 4 points; p=0.002).

Significantly more participants in the vibrator group achieved normal FSFI total scores (>26.5 points; 35 percent vs 12.2 percent; p=0.02).