Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition affecting women worldwide, with significant implications for their quality of life, including sexual function. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse and/or Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) has been validated in Arabic and offers a comprehensive assessment of sexual function in women with pelvic floor disorders, including UI. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of UI on the sexual function of Moroccan women using the PISQ-12.

We hypothesized that UI negatively affects the sexual function of Moroccan women, as assessed by the PISQ-12 questionnaire. Our study aimed to investigate the association between UI and sexual function, considering socio-demographic factors and the presence of pelvic organ prolapse.

We conducted a prospective survey over a six-month period, from September 2018 to March 2019, involving 50 Moroccan women diagnosed with UI. Socio-demographic data including age, marital status, parity, and menopausal status were collected. Participants completed the PISQ-12 questionnaire to assess sexual function. Types of UI (stress, urgency, mixed) and the presence of pelvic organ prolapse were documented. Statistical analysis compared socio-demographic characteristics between sexually active and inactive women, and assessed differences in PISQ-12 scores among different types of UI and prolapse status using a significance level of p < 0.05.

The study population comprised women with a mean age of 53 years, predominantly married and multiparous. Urgency UI was the most common type, followed by stress UI and mixed UI. Pelvic organ prolapse was present in over half of the participants. The mean PISQ-12 score was 28.45, indicating a significant negative impact of UI on sexual function. Women with pelvic organ prolapse had lower PISQ-12 scores compared to those without prolapse (p < 0.05). Additionally, postmenopausal women with urgency UI exhibited better sexual function than those with stress or mixed UI (p = 0.038).

Our findings suggest that UI adversely affects the sexual quality of life in Moroccan women. Despite variations in the types of UI and the presence of pelvic organ prolapse, there was no clear correlation between these factors and the total PISQ-12 score. However, the coexistence of pelvic organ prolapse and UI appeared to exacerbate the negative impact on sexual function.

In conclusion, UI significantly impairs the sexual function of Moroccan women, particularly in the presence of pelvic organ prolapse. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both UI and pelvic organ prolapse in clinical management to optimize sexual health outcomes for affected women. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors influencing sexual function in this population.

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