A randomized trial of clitoral vacuum suction versus vibratory stimulation in neurogenic female orgasmic dysfunction.

PubMED

Alexander M, et al. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine safety and efficacy of use of a clitoral vacuum suction device (CVSD) versus vibratory stimulation (V) to treat orgasmic dysfunction in women with MS or SCI.

DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial.

SETTING: Two academic medical centers.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one women including 20 with MS and 11 with SCI.

INTERVENTION: A 12-week trial of the use of a CVSD versus V MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS).

RESULTS: 23 women (18 MS; 5 SCI) completed the study including 13/16 randomized to CVSD and 10/15 randomized to V. There was a statistically significant increase in total FSFI score (p=.011), desire (p=. 009), arousal (p=.009), lubrication (p=.008), orgasm (p=.012), and satisfaction (p=.049) and a significant decrease in distress as measured by FSDS (p=.020) in subjects using the CVSD. In subjects who used V, there was a statistically significant increase in the orgasm subscale of the FSFI (p=.028). Subjects using the CVSD maintained improvements 4 weeks after treatment.

CONCLUSION: CVSD is safe and overall efficacious to treat female neurogenic sexual dysfunction related to MS and SCI. V is also safe and efficacious to female neurogenic orgasmic dysfunction; however, results were limited to the active treatment period. Due to ease of access and cost, clinicians can consider use of V for women with MS or SCI with orgasmic dysfunction. CVSD is recommended for women with multiple sexual dysfunctions or for whom V is ineffective.