Comparison of Anogenital Distance and Correlation with Vulvo-vaginal Atrophy: A Pilot Study on Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
10.6118/jmm.2018.24.2.108
- Author:
Lavinia DOMENICI
1
;
Angela MUSELLA
;
Carlotta BRACCHI
;
Francesca LECCE
;
Michele Carlo SCHIAVI
;
Vanessa COLAGIOVANNI
;
Violante DI DONATO
;
Claudia MARCHETTI
;
Federica TOMAO
;
Innocenza PALAIA
;
Ludovico MUZII
;
Pierluigi BENEDETTI PANICI
Author Information
1. Department of Gynecological and Obstetric Sciences, and Urological Sciences, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy. lavinia.domenici@uniroma1.it
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Anal canal;
Atrophy;
Genitalia female;
Menopause;
Sexuality
- MeSH:
Anal Canal;
Atrophy;
Female;
Humans;
Menopause;
Pilot Projects;
Sexuality
- From:Journal of Menopausal Medicine
2018;24(2):108-112
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Anogenital distance (AGD) represents the space between labia posterior commissure and anus. This was pilot study to investigate how menopause and so lack of oestrogens affects AGD. METHODS: A total of 109 patients were enrolled. AGD was measured in lithotomy position using sterile paper ruler. Anogenital index (AGI) was used to control 2 variables of height and weight (body mass index, kg/m2). Vaginal health index (VHI) was used to evaluate vaginal wellness. Female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire was administered to all women to evaluate the impact of menopause on their sexual function. RESULTS: AGD (30.87 ± 2.98 vs. 17.57 ± 2.18; P = 0.0001) and AGI (1.40 ± 0.21 vs. 0.70 ± 0.15; P = 0.0001) were both significantly lower in the postmenopausal group. Postmenopausal women were affected by vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) significantly. Thus, VHI scores were dramatically worse in postmenopausal group (23.95 ± 1.28 vs. 10.75 ± 3.41; P = 0.0001) as well as FSFI results (32.68 ± 2.25 vs. 19.78 ± 5.46; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that AGD in post-menopausal women was significantly shorter than AGD in premenopausal women, correlating with an increase of VVA and sexual impairment. Changes of AGD and AGI demonstrated to predict hormonal changes that may occur after menopause.
