Clitoral size and location in relation to sexual function using pelvic MRI

SH Oakley, CM Vaccaro, CC Crisp…�- The journal of sexual�…, 2014 - academic.oup.com
SH Oakley, CM Vaccaro, CC Crisp, MV Estanol, AN Fellner, SD Kleeman, RN Pauls
The journal of sexual medicine, 2014academic.oup.com
Introduction The female sexual response is dynamic; anatomic mechanisms may ease or
enhance the intensity of orgasm. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the clitoral size and
location with regard to female sexual function. Methods This cross‐sectional TriHealth
Institutional Board Review approved study compared 10 sexually active women with
anorgasmia to 20 orgasmic women matched by age and body mass index (BMI). Data
included demographics, sexual history, serum hormone levels, Prolapse/Incontinence�…
Introduction
The female sexual response is dynamic; anatomic mechanisms may ease or enhance the intensity of orgasm.
Aim
The aim of this study is to evaluate the clitoral size and location with regard to female sexual function.
Methods
This cross‐sectional TriHealth Institutional Board Review approved study compared 10 sexually active women with anorgasmia to 20 orgasmic women matched by age and body mass index (BMI). Data included demographics, sexual history, serum hormone levels, Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire‐12 (PISQ‐12), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Body Exposure during Sexual Activity Questionnaire (BESAQ), and Short Form Health Survey‐12. All subjects underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without contrast; measurements of the clitoris were calculated.
Main Outcome Measures
Our primary outcomes were clitoral size and location as measured by noncontrast MRI imaging in sagittal, coronal, and axial planes.
Results
Thirty premenopausal women completed the study. The mean age was 32 years (standard deviation [SD] 7), mean BMI 25 (SD 4). The majority was white (90%) and married (61%). Total PISQ‐12 (P < 0.001) and total FSFI (P < 0.001) were higher for orgasmic subjects, indicating better sexual function. On MRI, the area of the clitoral glans in coronal view was significantly smaller for the anorgasmic group (P= 0.005). A larger distance from the clitoral glans (51 vs. 45 mm, P= 0.049) and body (29 vs. 21 mm, P= 0.008) to the vaginal lumen was found in the anorgasmic subjects. For the entire sample, larger distance between the clitoris and the vagina correlated with poorer scores on the PISQ‐12 (r = −0.44, P= 0.02), FSFI (r = −0.43, P= 0.02), and BESAQ (r = −0.37, P= 0.04).
Conclusion
Women with anorgasmia possessed a smaller clitoral glans and clitoral components farther from the vaginal lumen than women with normal orgasmic function.
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