Effect of Peripheral Neuromodulation on Vaginal Blood Flow

Effect of Peripheral Neuromodulation on Vaginal Blood Flow

The researchers want to see if nerve stimulation interventions cause a change in vaginal blood flow. This intervention was performed in women who have neurogenic (spinal cord injury) or non-neurogenic sexual dysfunction and healthy women.

Two nerve stimulation locations (genital nerve and tibial nerve) were targeted with skin-surface electrical stimulation in separate experimental sessions.

This study was designed as a crossover study, but all participant data was analyzed together due to small enrollment size.

Non-dysfunction participants, no spinal cord injury

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult (over 18 years old) cis-gender female
• Neurologically stable
• Sexually active at least once per month
• Able to consent and communicate effectively with research team

Exclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study period
• Sexual dysfunction, per short-form Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score below 19
• Lubrication difficulties, per short-form FSFI lubrication subdomain score below or equal to 4
• Clinically diagnosed bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain, or other pelvic organ symptoms
• Suspected or diagnosed epilepsy
• Active infection or active pressure sores in the perineal region
• Implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, or other nerve stimulator
• Currently has or tested positive in the last 14 days for COVID-19 or is symptomatic for COVID-19.

Sexual dysfunction participants, non- spinal cord injury

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult (over 18 years old) cis-gender female
• Neurologically stable
• Sexually active at least once per month
• Sexual dysfunction, per short-form FSFI score below 19
• Lubrication difficulties, per short-form FSFI lubrication subdomain score below or equal to 3
• Able to understand consent and communicate effectively with research team

Exclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study period
• Clinically diagnosed bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain, or other pelvic organ symptoms
• Active infection or active pressure sores in the pelvic region
• Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
• Currently has or tested positive in the last 14 days for COVID-19 or is symptomatic for COVID-19.

Sexual dysfunction participants with spinal cord injury

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult (over 18 years old) cis-gender women
• Clinically diagnosed spinal cord injury (AIS A-B) at vertebral level within C6-T10 at least six months prior or clinically diagnosed spinal cord injury (AIS C) at vertebral level within C4-T10 at least six months prior
• Nominally sexually active, but at minimum interest in sexual pleasure even if fully self-induced
• Sexual dysfunction, per short-form FSFI score below 19
• Able to understand consent and communicate effectively with research team

Exclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Spinal cord injury at or above C5 level (C1-C5) if AIS A or B, or spinal cord injury at or above C3 level (C1-C3) if AIS C
• Spinal cord injury below T10 vertebral level or reflexes not preserved
• Acute worsening in motor or sensory function in the last month
• Suspected or diagnosed epilepsy
• Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study period
• Active infection or active pressure sores in the perineal region
• Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
• Currently has or tested positive in the last 14 days for COVID-19 or is symptomatic for COVID-19.