Characterizing Pelvic-Floor Muscle Function and Morphometry in Survivors of Gynecological Cancer Who Have Dyspareunia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE More than half of gynecological cancer survivors are affected by pain during sexual intercourse, also known as dyspareunia. Oncological treatments may result in pelvic floor muscle (PFM) alterations, which are suspected to play a key role in dyspareunia. However, to date, no study has investigated PFM function and morphometry in this population. The aim of the study was to characterize and compare PFM function and morphometry between gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia and asymptomatic women. METHODS Twenty-four gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia and 32 women with a history of total hysterectomy but without pelvic pain (asymptomatic women) participated in this comparative cross-sectional study. PFM passive forces (tone), flexibility, stiffness, maximal strength, coordination and endurance were assessed with an intra-vaginal dynamometric speculum. Bladder neck position, levator plate angle, anorectal angle and levator hiatal dimensions were measured at rest and on maximal contraction with 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound imaging. RESULTS Compared to asymptomatic women, gynecological cancer survivors showed heightened PFM tone, lower flexibility, higher stiffness, lower coordination and endurance (p ˂ .03). At rest, they had a smaller anorectal angle and smaller levator hiatal dimensions (p ˂ .05), indicating heightened PFM tone. They also presented fewer changes from rest to maximal contraction for anorectal angle and levator hiatal dimensions (p ˂ .03), suggesting an elevated tone or altered contractile properties. CONCLUSIONS Gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia present with altered PFM function and morphometry. This research provides therefore a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of dyspareunia in cancer survivors. IMPACT Our study confirms alterations in PFM function and morphometry in gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia. These findings support the rationale for developing and assessing the efficacy of physical therapy targeting PFM alterations in this population.