Sexual activity of women with mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS)-preliminary study

Authors:

• Maria Beisert,
• Marta Szymańska-Pytlińska,
• Karina Kapczuk,
• Aleksandra Chodecka,
• Katarzyna Walczyk-Matyj,
• Witold Kedzia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess sexual activity of women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) in relation to age-matched controls. The hypotheses on differences between them in regard to various types of sexual activity and its characteristics were verified. Material and methods: 31 patients with MRKHS and 31 healthy women were examined. Psychosexual biography by M. Beisert was used to gain information on autoerotic and dyadic behavior. Phi-coefficient and U Mann-Whitney test were performed. Results: Women with the MRKHS started autoerotic behavior at a similar age (U=58,00; ns), practiced masturbation with the same frequency (in adolescence-U=350,00; ns and adulthood-U=137,50; ns) and manifested a similar level of sexual arousal (U=326,50; ns) as the age-matched controls. They declared experiencing vaginal (Phi=0,507; p<0,001) and oral (Phi=0,318; p<0,05) intercourse less frequently than healthy women. They also initiated dyadic sexual activity at a higher age than the controls (petting U=182,00; p<0,01; req=0,41; vaginal intercourse (U=64,00; 0<0,001; req=0,59; oral contact (U=91,50; p<0,05; req=0,56) with exception of anal intercourse, where the age of initiation was the same in both groups (U=30,50; ns). Women in both groups experienced similar orgasm frequency during petting (U=108,50; ns), oral intercourse (U=97,50; ns), anal intercourse (U=25,50; ns). However, patients with the MRKHS reported significantly lower frequency of orgasm during vaginal intercourse (U=60,50; p<0,05; req=0,36).Conclusions: Sexual development of patients with the MRKHS and healthy women is partly similar. Differences in dyadic sexual activity are not limited to vaginal intercourse thus are probably determined by biological conditions and their psychological implications.