Urinary incontinence is a common health problem in women and its incidence increases with age. Although urinary incontinence is not a life-threatening disease, it often has negative effects on quality of life. One of the most important components of quality of life is healthy sexual life. Sexual dysfunction is more common in women with complaints related to urinary system.
The aim of this study is to compare data from women with urinary incontinence with continent healthy controls and to evaluate effects of urinary incontinence on female sexual function.

53 patients diagnosed with urinary incontinence and their age, body mass index, parity and menopausal status matched healthy controls were included in this study. Presence of pelvic organ prolapse or an history of incontinence surgery were used as exclusion criteria. Diagnosis of urinary incontinence was made based on anamnesis, UDI-6 (urinary distress inventory-6) questionnaire and bladder diary charts.
Age, body mass index, number of deliveries, mode of delivery, history of macrosomic birth, smoking, menopausal status and the use of hormon replacement theraphy were recorded for all study participants.
Participants were also asked to complete bladder diary for three continuous days and to fill in UDI-6, IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form) and FSFI (female sexual function index) questionnaires. Physicals examinations were carried out to evaluate POP-Q stage, pelvic floor muscle strength. Perineometer, Q-Tip test and 1-h pad test were performed as well. 
Type of incontinence of the participants in the urinary incontinence group were categorised as stress, urge or mixed and the duration of incontinence was recorded as well. All data were evaluated statistically using SPSS software

Total of 105 women were included in this study. 52 of the study participants were in the incontinence group and 53 were in the control group. Both groups were designed taking body mass index, parity, menopausal status and history of hysterectomy into account.
Mean age of the incontinence group and the control group was 47,81±7,4 and 46,90±8,0 respectively (p=0,55). Body mass index of the incontinence group was 28,85±4,8 while body mass index of the control group was 26,83±3,6 (p=0,059)
Rate of postmenopausal status was %43,4 in the urinary incontinence group and %34,6 in the control group (chi-square test 0.3). Rate of hyterectomy was %13,2 in the incontinence group and %11,5 in the control group (chi-square test 0.7).
Median of parity didn’t differ between the groups (P=0,01). 
FSFI scores of the study groups were statistically analyzed and overal FSFI scores for the incontinence group was found to be lower (p=0,00). Furthermore subscale scores were found to be lower for the incontinence group as well (with p values for following subsvales; desire p=0.00, arousal p=0.001, orgasm p=0.00, lubrication p=0.00, satisfaction p=0.001).
UDI-6 score was found to be negatively correlated with sexual pain subscale in the urinary incontinence group (p=0.02).
Pelvic floor muscle strength measured using Oxford Scale was found to be positively correlated with overall FSFI score in the control group (p=0.03). This correlation was found to be significant in desire (p=0.02), lubrication (p=0.008) and arousal (p=0.01) subscales as well. Pelvic floor muscle strength measured using perineometer also showed positive correlation with sexual desire subscale (p=0.01)

The results of this study shows that urinary incontinence has negative effects on female sexual function measured by FSFI. This outcome is supported by sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication and satisfaction subscale scores.

In conclusion our study shows that urinary incontinence has a negative effect on female sexual health measured by FSFI. Therefore sexual dysfunction should not be neglected and every women presenting with urinary incontinence should be questioned for sexual dysfunction. Further studies evaluating effects of different treatment modalities and their long-term outcomes will shed light on the relationship between urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.